Just How Much Does The Government Spend?

The "reform" oriented Congress the Democrats promised is failing to deliver on their promises. The Heritage Foundation has published a report detailing just how poorly the Democrats have lived up to the reforms they promised. Here are some highlights:

Federal spending now tops $25,000 per household annually, and the coming Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid costs of 77 million retiring baby boomers threaten to add another $12,000 per household to the taxpayers' annual tab.

The Democratic congressional majority promised pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) budgeting that would prevent new deficit spending. During the 17 months of their majority, they have used blatant accounting gimmicks, such as fake sunsets and shifting payment dates, to:

• Pass SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance) legislation adding $55 billion to the budget deficit;
• Enact a student loan bill with $15 billion in new deficit spending; and
• Waive their own PAYGO rules and enact a farm bill that adds approximately $20 billion to the budget deficit, despite record-high farm incomes.

In failing to offer spending reductions, congressional budget writers ignored:

• At least $55 billion in annual program over payments;
• $60 billion for corporate welfare;
• $123 billion for programs for which government auditors can find no evidence of success;
• $140 billion in potential budget savings identified in the CBO's "Budget Options" books; and
• Massive program duplication, such as the 342 economic development programs, the 130 programs serving the disabled, the 130 programs serving at-risk youth, and the 90 early childhood development programs.

Congress's budget resolution pledges to raise taxes by an average of $3,135 per household. This classic tax-and-spend budget pushes up discretionary spending and leaves the nation woefully unprepared to face the coming retirement of 77 million baby boomers.