This chart shows federal spending, expressed as a fraction of GDP, that federal spending has not grown dramatically in recent years: "No, the only category where it seems clear that Bush has deliberately let the money flow freely is in defense. So if you think that the federal government’s spending has grown too fast in recent years, turn your attention to defense spending and health care. That’s where the money has been going." Useful links. (via Instapundit)
Dr. Schramm
Thanks for the link. The disturbing trend, of course, is the dramatic and steady increase of Medicare/Medicaid spending as a percentage of GDP. Bush’s major fault, it would seem, is the creation of the DOHS beauracracy. Would be interested in learning how much that contributes to the rise in defense-related expenditures.
I’m sorry but the graph shows a huge increase in spending under Bush and not just for defense.
The green line goes from 3.1% of GDP to 3.5%. This is a 13% inflation adjusted per capita increase.
The orange line goes from about 2.0% to 2.5% for a 20% inflation adjusted per capita increase.
These two areas alone consume an additional 1% of GDP over a five year period. This is huge.