Is Bush's spending out of control?

• Position: Your Life - U.S. President George W. Bush - Brief Article

Pres. George W. Bush is fond of noting that Americans "are using their money far better than government would have" According to the Cato Institute, Washington, D.C., however, the President (and the Republican-controlled Congress)is spending record amounts of taxpayer money.

In "The Republican Spending Explosion," fiscal policy analyst Veronique de Rugy examines the President's Fiscal Year 2005 budget and details the reckless spending spree of his first four years in office. De Rugy notes that, since the GOP took control of Congress in 1994, nondefense discretionary outlays have grown every year except FY1996. Moreover, since the Republicans took control of both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, the spending has accelerated.

Only Pres. Lyndon Johnson--a Democrat--outspent Bush, according to the report. However, the author notes, Congress also shoulders some of the blame for the anticipated 25% increase in discretionary nondefense spending during Bush's first term, only a portion of which has been for homeland security, in the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11...