Homeland defense takes us to bigger gov since lbj. BrianS posts were a good chronicle. No it doesn't.
In 1968, Federal spending was 20.5% of GDP. In 2002, the last completed calender year, GDP was 19.5% of GDP.
BTW, from 1975 to 1996, federal spending was between 20.3% and 23.5% of GDP.
Sounds like you know about this. What do the numbers look like for inclusion of HD? I am reading in the news without challenge -- and in the Congressional record that this is the biggest gov and gov exp since lbj from Republican senators too. Of course the devil is in the numbers.
How about pulling numbers for the Army, say? Anyone know? I know DOD has soared, but am reading that the ARmy is getting the shaft.