From Art Laffer's piece at the WSJ one can clearly see that in country after country, increased government spending acted more like a depressant than a stimulant (click image to enlarge).

Laffer writes:

Policy makers in Washington and other capitals around the world are debating whether to implement another round of stimulus spending to combat high unemployment and sputtering growth rates. But before they leap, they should take a good hard look at how that worked the first time around.

ly, as indicated by the table nearby, which shows increases in government spending from 2007 to 2009 and subsequent changes in GDP growth rates. Of the 34 Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development nations, those with the largest spending spurts from 2007 to 2009 saw the least growth in GDP rates before and after the stimulus.

The four nations -- Estonia, Ireland, the Slovak Republic and Finland -- with the biggest stimulus programs had the steepest declines in growth. The United States was no different, with greater spending (up 7.3%) followed by far lower growth rates (down 8.4%).More here ...

Meanwhile, President Obama continues to call for more tax hikes and more government spending. Simply put, if you like 2012, you will love a 2nd Obama term ... it's nothing more, than more of the same.

Related: Democrat tax hike plan already killing economy