Big Spenders

January 5, 2004

Republicans are taking more heat over their big appetite for spending:

What has vexed conservatives most is the 31.5 percent growth since Bush took office in discretionary spending. That is the one-third of the budget lawmakers approve annually for defense, domestic security, school aid and everything else except Social Security and other benefits.

Such spending grew by an annual average of 3.4 percent during Clinton's eight years.

Further infuriating conservatives, Bush and the Republican-run Congress have enacted a $400 billion, 10-year enlargement of Medicare; $87 billion in expanded benefits for farmers; and $40 billion for increased veterans' payments and the Air Force's leasing and buying of refueling tankers.

More details here.

A few recent Reason links on the topic (from vexed libertarians):

Ride the Death Spiral Vicious cycles in entitlement spending.

Medicare Fraud Reforming our way to bankruptcy.

W Is for What? Bush may be compassionate, but he's no conservative.

Body Snatchers How can you tell the evil party from stupid party?