You are just completely wrong about that. I don't know what planet you were on...but the economy COLLAPSED in 2008.
The word "collapsed" means it was starting from a higher point.
It's frustrating to talk to some of y'all about this. It's like your memories have been wiped out by the media.
NO, I don't think Bush is "responsible" for the economy doing well during his term. I think the country itself was doing well (the private sector).
But I can guarantee you that all the people who are suffering in 2012 would LOVE to go back to the economy of 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007.
And we'd all love it even more if we could go back to the economy of 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 when the tech bubble was kicking up.
Neither had anything to do with who the President was.
The govt. can create an environment (mostly by NOT fucking with stuff) that is conducive to business.
Clinton's presidency ended on a mild recession...the tech bubble burst.
But nothing like what happened at the end of Bush's term when the housing market collapsed.
I KNOW (painfully so), because I closed on the house I live at in Vegas on Sept. 20th 2008. Paid $720,000 for it. It's worth about $400,000 now.
And I'm just one person.