Fooman that is exactly the right points..
The Irish have been among the most successful nations in the western world in the last 20 years. They never cut government... they merely stopped GROWING government.
So as their economy grew, as economies naturally do grow.. especially when you are pro-development:).. bit by bit the relative burden of the government shrinks..
Eg.. Your gdp grows at the US average of 3.2%, but government is staying steady... By 2030 government would only be half as burdensome as it is today. And you wouldn't have to reduce benefits or lay half your army off.
It's about population control, the planet can only take care of so many people. Now that we have eradicated major diseases we are stuck with turning people gay and aborting every other child. There has to be a better way.