http://www.mittromney.com/issues/spending
One traditional yardstick for gauging whether government is living within its means is spending as a percentage of GDP. Since the 1950s, federal spending as a percentage of GDP has hovered around 20 percent. When President Obama took office, it shot up to 25 percent, a level not seen since World War II.
Before the recession, the federal government spent $25,000 per household. That number has now soared past $30,000 and is on track to hit $35,000 within the next decade.
Mitt's Plan
Set Honest Goals: Cap Spending At 20 Percent Of GDP
And if you look at a chart of Tax Revenues to GDP, you'll see the first Starve the Beast period the revenue is down to 15%.
To the 47%, you've been told.(Of course though, not by the media).