[Rodney King]

In the first three months of the fiscal year that began last October, cash outlays by the federal government increased by 6.1 percent

It's the spending that matters most in the long run. Why should spending be up 6.1% with a Republican president and congress? They have totally sold us out on the "less government" concept.

[thoughtomator]

Unfortunately, spending from the public trough is self-reinforcing. Doubt you'll find a single Senator who wouldn't oppose wasteful spending - in someone else's district.

[Not A Snowbird]

Why should spending be up 6.1% with a Republican president and congress?

Depends on how it was spent. Did it go to defense, or to continued study of the sex habits of the South American swamp rat?

[alnick]

According to the Washington Post, the Bush budget totals planned for fiscal year 2006 may be essentially unchanged from the totals for fiscal year 2005 (excluding defense and homeland security). According to reporter Jonathan Weisman, the administration’s first really tough budget request (due out next month) “would freeze most spending on agriculture, veterans and science, slash or eliminate dozens of federal programs, and force more costs, from Medicaid to housing, onto state and local governments.”