a fascinating set of charts from hedge fund manager Ritholtz.
They analyzed (using proper indexing) GDP growth, S&P 500 growth, deficts, increase in inflation and CPI, levels of federal consumption of spending, the rise of federal employees...over the last 5 Presidents. some surprising results, particularly during the Reagan era.
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2011/02/presidential-chart-porn/