>With inflation, population and GDP growth etc. that's a stupid statistic.
>
>A much better one would be a comparison of per-capita deficit spending vs. per-capita GDP. It would be interesting to compare that to the Great Depression, the periods during and post-WWII etc.

I disagree. The comparisons you mention would be of interest but to say that a congress in 2.5 years has spent more money than spent
over the last 200 + year is a "stupid" statistic, indicates you maybe missing the point. :) Thats a freakin big deal statistic, if you ask me.