But you'll notice there are, oh, maybe a DOZEN other deficits on there that do NOT have the excuse of WWII to fall back on.

1 - What experts are you referring to?
2 - Why is the deficit bad?
3 - How can you claim that Dubya is the worst of a group when you don't know who's included in that group?
J/k I already addressed this. Okay, when I said he was the worst president in history you took it too literally. He's the worst president in my lifetime, in your lifetime, and probably in everyone living today's lifetime. Lol

4 - Seeing as how the Franklin quote you posted referred to essential liberties, and you implied that it was at odds with the Patriot Act, please tell me what essential liberties we've lost.
Amendment IV - Search and seizure. Ratified 12/15/1791.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
I think that's essential don't you?