J. Clarke wrote:
Tim Daneliuk wrote:

J. Clarke wrote:
SNIP

Not sure that penalizing them for deficit spending is necessarily a
good idea. Sometimes that helps the economy.


This is arguable. The government produces nothing, hence cannot
add to the GDP.


The effect is indirect.


But even if it did so, the Federal Government
has no Constitutional authority to "help the economy".


Comes under "promote the general welfare".


That language comes from the preamble to the constitution, which, despite what
some people including apparently you believe, does NOT grant the federal
government any power.