Let's look a bit further back.

In the 1980s we had anemic growth at best. Thanks Reagan / Bush I (Republicans).

In the 1990s we had one of the most extensive periods of growth in the modern history of our nation. Thanks Clinton (Democrat).

In the first decade of this century we had a president that took a record surplus and turned in into a trillion dollar deficit while crashing our economy into the ground the likes of which we have not see since 1929. Thanks Bush II (Republican).

What amazes me is that Republicans get any support from average Americans News flash. If you are 30+ and you are making less than 250K / year you are unlikely to ever be part of the crowd that Republicans represent. It's that simple. This is about class folks - the rich vs. everyone else.