A group of 40 conservative Republican members of Congress met Wednesday in Washington to strategize how to force the White House to cut government spending. Bush’s economic plans have come under increasing criticism from groups that are usually closely tied to the president including the Heritage Foundation and the Club for Growth as well as The Wall Street Journal’s editorial page. One Republican Senate aide told the New York Times “The Republican party has long been the party of small government but the era of small government has ended for the Republican Party.” [[[In a new book former Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill said he warned the administration of a looming fiscal crisis but was brushed aside by Vice President Dick Cheney who privately said “You know, Paul, Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.” This year’s deficit is expected to top a record $500 billion. ]]]