"Is this just math you do as a Republican to make yourself feel better?" The burden of the economic facts you lay out fall squarely on the administration you voted for 8 years ago. Bush walked into a budget surplus (acquired during the Clinton era) while Obama faced the existing recession, two unwanted wars, and the disaster of an administration that was only looking out for the top 1%. Trickle down economics doesn't work. The math didn't work for the economy, and it didn't work for the election either. I look forward to times when we have two candidates with clear visions for our country. As a conservative individual, I'd like to have a balanced choice. The republican party needs to stop radically blaming minorities for existing and find ways to serve 100% of the population if they hope to win another election.