While GDP is a bit insipid it has grown. Revenues have dwindled and federal spending has grown. I suggest to you that revenues have dwindled because of tax cut and Federal spending has grown because of the Presidents policies.
Ruben Clinton and the Newtwits (for that matter) took the stance that the government ought to balance the budget. You can play party politics all you want that is a game I do not play. The fact of the matter is that any government that reduces revenues and increases spending is practicing fiscal irresponsibility.
Much the way you see Nixon as a liberal many people see Clinton as a conservative. His moral indiscretions aside, his administration reformed Welfare, reduced the size of the Military (Much as Rummie wants to do), and began the rhetoric of Regime change just as the President has noted.
Ergo Sum
ps yes I think that is the plan. Make the government incapable of funding and return states rights.