Some folks have short memories. The Democrats controlled the purse strings during the 1980`s. Even with the budget power in the hands of the House liberals Reagan was able to reduce the overall size of government by 1.0% of GDP during his 8 years in office. From 22.2% in 1981, to 21.2% in 1989. A small but significant decrease which enabled Reagan to ramp up the Defesne budget and rebuild the military. Reagan also had success in limiting the growth of the welfare state by reducing spending on "Human Resources" from 53.4% in the 1981 budget to 49.7% in 1989. Realizing some of the lowest welfare and discretionary spending levels in a decade.
At the same time he was battling Tip O'Neal and the Democrats on budget priorities, Reagan managed to revive the worst economy since the Great Depression through pro-business and pro-growth policies, sending the economy soaring and inflation rates, interest rates and unemployment falling. He reduced the top tax rates from 70% to 28%, simplifying the tax code twice and eliminating volumes of administrative deregulation employed by federal agencies.
If Reagan had a GOP House he would have had much more success in decreasing the size and scope of government.
Sorry we disagree, but Reagan was “rolled” by the Democrats. Sure he got tax cuts, but with a PROMISE from the D’s to make commensurate cuts in discretionary spending. He had been around politics long enough to know that a promise is just something you make, and accept to CYA. He had a BIG STICK with the bully pulpit, but did not fight when he could have easily won.