Fiscal conservatism is healthy, the way it is NOT implemented - is the problem .....conservatives just give it lip service. It is healthy, and we badly need it - after we get out of the crisis. Only fiscal conservativism is not represented by Reps at all. In fact, in 96, 2 years after last Reps' takeover of the Congress, they CALLED FOR HIGHER DEBT! And that's the same people, who now assault the Dems for the debts they made! Yes, Bush lowered taxes - and what happened to the economy? What a great economists! Just like leeches were the panacea from all illnesses in the past, so are tax cuts for all our economic troubles. They didn't work in 2007 or 2008. What do we do if they don't work now?
As far as small business - we just have to do what China CAN"T do. And what is that? Are they less educated? Or not as smart? Or lazy? The balance may start changing when Chinese or Indians or Mexican will catch up with us in the standards of living and pay levels.