The overall size of the federal government grew under Reagan, but not as a percentage of GDP. Reagan left office with the federal bureaucracy actually 1.0% smaller as a percentage of GDP. And that was with huge increases in the national defense budget and expansion of the US military. Reagan accomplished this by reducing overall welfare state expenditures from 53.4% under Carter`s last budget in 1981, to 49.7% under Reagan's last budget in 1989.
Under Bush, the federal budget has grown 1.8% as a percentage of GDP. Bush also has spent more of the annual budget on the welfare state then any US President in history. Bush`s own Office of Management and Budget shows spending on Social Security, Medicare, Prescription Drugs and other entitlements will reach 67.2% (49.7% under Reagan) of the budget by 2009, Bush`s last year in office. Most experts believe it will go a lot higher since Bush added the trillion dollar drug program on the backs of the US taxpayers. Not to mention doubling the Education Department budget.
On national defense/military buildup, Bush is spending a whole lot less prosecuting the War on Terror, then Reagan spent to win the Cold War. According to Bush`s own OMB, average national defense spending is at 17.8% of the annual budget. Reagan`s annual national defense budget was 26.7%.
The facts speak for themselves. No matter how you spin it, Bush is no Reagan. Bush tossed aside the conservative agenda of Reaganism and Newt's Contract With America. Bush ignored the conservative agenda, and on November 7th the GOP paid a severe price.
Btw, Reaganism isn't dead. Reaganism lives in the hearts and minds of conservatives. It just needs strong conservative leaders to revive its basic principles.
You're one of the chief offenders, RM. You shame Reagan with your belligerence against his successor, and this fine leader.
There are plenty of us........most likely the majority of us.......here on FR who have undying support of Ronald Reagan, and equally respect George W. Bush.
It is only those of you who use his name to beat up on our Commander in Chief who force us to say anything against him at all.
I really wish you'd think about that for once.....
you act like Reagan's defense budgets, filled with $150 hammers and $300 toilet seats were money well spent