Per the link below, total gubmint spoending, as a percent of GDP was:
2011: 40%
2010: 41%
2009: 43%
2008: 37%
2007: 35%
2006: 35%
2005: 35%
2004: 35%
2003: 35%
2002: 35%
2001: 33%
2000: 33%
1999: 33%
1998: 33%
1980: 34%
1970: 31%
This talking point is completely bogus, and only points to the fact that government pay has outpaced the rest of the economy, if there are in fact fewer workers.
http://www.usgovernmentspending.com/total_2011USpt_88ps5n
a good response. thanks for the link.