Federal spending as a percent of GDP has stayed at roughly between 17-19% since WWII. During WWII it hit a high of 37.91. The standard of living has certainly improved over the last 100 years. Our freedoms have increased...100 years ago women couldn't vote and Jim Crow laws prevented blacks from voting. Children worked in unsafe factories for pennies a week. The People eventually get it right.
I should criticize it, not accept it as the will of the people, because how the heck else am I supposed to convince the people that it's the wrong way?
It will take incrimental steps to get America further to the right. When Governor Thompson of WI first proposed welfare reform, there was a clamor from the left and anguished tears from the welfare recipients and even some conservatives complained because the program cost more money than the current welfare program. This was because it offered health care and child care for those enrolled in the program. The program was implimented in small steps so as to not shock the voters into voting Thompson out of office. It worked. It will be a tremendous benifit as the children of former welfare recipients see the parents working for a living rather than sitting home and collecting a check. Welfare rolls in Wisconsin have been cut by over 90%.
Now I ask you to look at the Conservatives in WI who stood up against Gov Thompson's welfare reform on principle. They sided with the 'rats and almost killed it. They look a lot like you. They can't see the big picture. A car must continue forward as it slows down. The breaks must be applied slowly or the driver will go through the windshield. Eventually the car can stop completely and even be put in reverse. The driver today is Dubya, and he is doing a great job.
Well argued, OL.
I'm still angry, though! : )