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These Charts Show That, Yes, Gov’t Is Growing

Sep. 11, 2012 6:46pm

If, for some reason, you believe government spending hasn’t increased steadily over the last 40 years (with massive increases in the last decade), we offer you the following chart from noted economist Veronique de Rugy:

These Charts Show That, Yes, Govt Is Growing

The amount of dollars spent per capita.

“The data clearly highlight that, after adjusting for population and inflation, federal outlays have, with a few exceptions, mostly grown, with a clear increase over the past 12 years,” she writes.

Indeed, as the above chart illustrates, and with the exception of President Bill Clinton, the amount spent per capita has increased in every administration regardless of which party has controlled the White House.

President Jimmy Carter’s first budget spent $6,600 per person, and President Ronald Reagan’s first budget spent $7,000. President George H. W. Bush’s first budget spent $8,100, and President Bill Clinton’s first budget spent $8,200.

“Remarkably, the Clinton era oversaw a decline in the per capita spending — from $8,200 to $8,000 over eight years,” Veronique de Rugy notes.

However, as you can clearly see, President George W. Bush undid all of that during his two terms, setting the tone for President Obama’s unprecedented $11,600 per capita in his first budget.

Bottom line: We have a spending problem and our government is growing at an alarming pace.

“And it will get worse when spending on programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid explode over the next few years. I hope that Congress will start cutting spending rather than kicking the can down the road again,” she adds.

Still not convinced? Fine, try these [all captions via Veronique de Rugy]:

These Charts Show That, Yes, Govt Is Growing

"Total federal outlays measured in real terms (adjusted for inflation). Relative to the main chart, these outlays grow at a faster rate each year."

These Charts Show That, Yes, Govt Is Growing

"Total federal outlays measured in nominal terms (not adjusted for inflation). The nominal data help portray the level of spending with the purchasing power of money in that current year. Such data show an even more magnified growth in spending relative to the previous charts."

These Charts Show That, Yes, Govt Is Growing

"Total federal outlays measured relative to total economic output or GDP. Measuring outlays as a portion of GDP shows how much spending grows with respect to the total amount of wealth produced within a given year. "

These Charts Show That, Yes, Govt Is Growing

"Gross domestic product, 1977–2011. This chart shows the evolution of the nation’s total economic activity. The 2012 data is projected."

If nothing else, can we at least all agree that spending has reached undesirable (i.e. terrifying) levels? If we can do that, then maybe we can finally move forward to finding some useful, meaningful, and lasting solutions.

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Comments (41)

  • LarryXII
    Posted on September 12, 2012 at 2:39am

    better idea

    1. buy gold
    2. let the libs have their way in all things gov’t
    3. when cash is worth less than toilet paper, live the high life

    … wont work though cuz when everything crashes the have nots will just loot from those who were smart enough to save.

    …So hedge your bets and buy a gun.

    Report this comment

    LarryXII  
  • fgbouman
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:36pm

    Too bad the chart doesn’t extend back to 1930 or so. What you would see is that the incremental spending done in the past four years was small in relation to what was needed to get us out of the Great Depression. So the expenditure is terrifying, yes, but terrifyingly small. We refuse to spend enough to allow the economic engine to do more than sputter along. A stronger kick start in the first two years of Obama’s presidency would have done the job, but it wasn’t politically possible. An even larger expenditure during the second two years would have still done the job, but by then the Congress was completely dysfunctional. So now we have gotten ourselves into a position mirroring that of Japan. Our fear of inflation seems to have condemned us to something far worse: deflation.

    Report this comment

    fgbouman  
  • denkat56
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:22pm

    of course it is. they build thier little kingdoms to justify higher grades and more money. and the i.g. office lets them get away with it. instead of three levels of management, now they have five. the people at the h q now this already and are unable or wont stop it.

    Report this comment

    denkat56  
    • Libfreezone
      Posted on September 12, 2012 at 11:40am

      Ain’t that the truth! They make new rules and laws to control the smallest of details and then hire an army of administrators to impose the letter of the law on thousands of pages of new laws. Their motto is “punish everyone”, remove common sense and replace it with an all knowing Government.

      Report this comment

      Libfreezone  
  • perry1980
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:22pm

    Buying votes and Brainwashing the masses for 40 years.
    This country is going to h3LL

    Report this comment

    perry1980  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:30pm

    Goodness gracious – look at those G.W. Bush years!!!!

    Carter and Clinton years actually held spending level. Now i know that is probably due to republican congress. Still sort of ironic that the best way to keep spending low is to have a democrat president and republican congress….

    Report this comment

    soybomb315_II  
  • Eastinfection
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:21pm

    Kinda makes you miss Bill Clinton.

    Report this comment

    Eastinfection  
    • freeberty
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:33pm

      Ouch,

      Speaking of which, those of us that support the policies of Ron Paul often have the election of 1992 rubbed in our faces.

      I can’t help but wondering how much better of a country this would have been had people not followed the R/D story line and had the courage to have elected Ross Perot.

      Report this comment

      freeberty  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:50pm

      Elder Bush should have dropped out of that 1992 race and Ross Perot would have won in a landslide – but somehow Perot is blamed for Clinton. oh well

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
    • Eastinfection
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:00pm

      @SOY.. not so sure. Perot never played sax on Arsenio.

      Report this comment

      Eastinfection  
  • girlnurse
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:15pm

    OBAMACARE is a perfect example. It is one of the most UNPOPULAR laws ever, with 60% (or more) of the American people against it. It is opening up a can of worms, starting a new GIANT federal beaurocracy, against the constitution, having the IRS regulate, tax and enforce–to FORCE us to buy healthcare whether we want it or not……or FINE us if we don’t>>>>and the out of control gubment tells WE THE PEOPLE to SHOVE IT! They are going to put it on the books whether we like it or not. NOW TELL ME AGAIN, HOW WE ARE A FREE COUNTRY????
    And BTW–Mittens is starting to backtrack on his “repeal†promise already.

    Report this comment

    girlnurse  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:53pm

      Mitt Romney – the mad scientist who created the individual mandate….Did folks around here really think the inventor would destroy his creation?

      Report this comment

      soybomb315_II  
  • freeberty
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:12pm

    Well it’s good to know that when Romney/Ryan is elected those charts will look like the top of a roller coaster, it will be all straight downhill after the election.

    Right? Or did I see where he said the country wasn’t spending nearly enough on the military? Well, I guess there is always 2016.

    Report this comment

    freeberty  
  • arty6164
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:40pm

    I thought Congress controlled the purse strings. Do they just go along to get along?

    Report this comment

    arty6164  
    • Leadthemtothelight
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:10pm

      Congress is not in control of anything. You can tell by their lack of a budget for the last 4 years.
      Oh yeah and the fact that they have spent us into oblivion.

      Report this comment

      Leadthemtothelight  
    • Psychosis
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:13pm

      congress passes budgets ……………….no budget , no control

      continuing resolutions just continue current spending rates, rates i add, at an all time high

      Report this comment

      Psychosis  
    • arty6164
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:54pm

      @lead/psy,
      Thanks, a lightbulb just went on in my head and it’s driving me crazy. I fear for our country.

      Report this comment

      arty6164  
  • buttpatriot
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:31pm

    it looks like it shoots up from regan to bush, levels out during clinton, then shoots to the moon during bush 2, then jumps up and stays up with obama. good thing we have the conservatives to keep things in check.

    Report this comment

    buttpatriot  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:38pm

      Yeah right! sigh….

      Report this comment

      girlnurse  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:43pm

      Right. Now the repubs say it’s the Lefts fault. I think Glenn accidentally let something slip here.

      Report this comment

      Exrepublisheep  
    • Stelex
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:03pm

      I think we are seeing the flaws in the 2 party paradigm. Honestly, I believe nothing from either party. Its now up to “WE THE PEOPLE” Don’t get your rocks off Paulbots, he’s no different.

      Report this comment

      Stelex  
  • unwine99
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:18pm

    Reagan was a big grower of government too. I loved the guy and he was an awesome president but there’s no getting around it.

    Report this comment

    unwine99  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:32pm

      He tried to abolish the DOE but received no support from congress so he gave up.If this country was run the way our founders intended you’d have a civil war when people stopped receiving all the freebies.
      Sadly we won’t have to stop the freebies because this house of cards is primed and ready to fall,when it does the freeloaders will be in the streets demanding what’s owed them,you know money for nothing.

      Report this comment

      progressiveslayer  
    • girlnurse
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:44pm

      “the freeloaders will be in the streets demanding what’s owed them,you know money for nothing.”

      Yea and MOST of them are gubment workers and politicians! I say this with a heavy heart as some of my loved ones get big money for NO PRODUCTION (aka Gubment) and I regret to say one time I fed at that pigs trough but when the Lord opened my eyes to the waste and abuse I could not do it…I stepped down and gave up a $70,000 dollar easy paycheck with the BEST of benefits…this is the sacrifice many will have to make! We CAN return to what made us great..if we start making our own stuff again and we start to be proud of what God gave us! It will be a process but we can do it. Educate your kids on what made us great!

      Report this comment

      girlnurse  
    • unwine99
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 8:08pm

      @progressive I’m sure it’ll get to that point but that’s what we’re here for — making it as difficult as possible by throwing monkey wrench after monkey wrench. Reagan slowed it down for a generation and I think after Obama it’ll slow down for a generation or so but you’re right, seven times out of ten, people will always take the easy path and that’s to the redistributionists advantage.

      Report this comment

      unwine99  
  • Joel Knows
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:10pm

    The real obese, bloated, America is the Federal Government! Fight obesity, help elect only new candidates that vow to reduce federal influence on our lives! If we elect people to represent a smaller leaner government, then we are the only ones at fault for what happens next.

    Report this comment

    Joel Knows  
    • Stelex
      Posted on September 11, 2012 at 9:09pm

      Anyone over two terms must go……term limits must be installed.

      Report this comment

      Stelex  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:03pm

    And Leon’s getting LARGER.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzZ4i8aWs_s

    Report this comment

    Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
  • thibx
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 7:02pm

    just print some more money so we can grow government and give to unions.

    Report this comment

    thibx  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 6:56pm

    That chart would give Barry an orgasm,the Marxist POS is bankrupting us by design.The anti-colonialist is making us pay,literally trillions for our own demise.A diabolical bastard indeed.

    Report this comment

    progressiveslayer  
  • grayling646
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 6:56pm

    What I’ve been saying all along, “WE’RE SCREWED!!!”

    Report this comment

    grayling646  
  • floridareader
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 6:54pm

    So, government is where the 4.5 millions new jobs are!

    Report this comment

    floridareader  
  • I SPY
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 6:52pm

    Well, than let’s start on shrinking it.

    Report this comment

    I SPY  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on September 11, 2012 at 6:49pm

    yes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,he lied

    can you see my shocked face ????

    Report this comment

    Psychosis  

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