Even Reagan spent a lot..RAT controled congress and then he had to REBUILD our Military as GW is having to do along with fighting a war on 2 fronts.
At least the % of the total budget spent on social welfare programs dropped during Reagan's term. During Nixon's and both Bush's terms, the % of total spending on social welfare soared--with George Bush being the biggest spender.
Also, when Reagan spent money on the military, a much larger percentage of DOD $ went to procurement of hardware. With George Bush, we are spending a lot on the military but it is NOT going toward procurement. In fact, we are getting huge reductions and cancelations in programs such as the F-22 and other major weapon platforms.
The point I raised was that it was not just LBJ. Nixon and both Bush I and Bush II have been key cogs in the social welfare jugggernaut.
As outrageous as it is, George Bush has exceeded LBJ in many respects with social welfare. Bush has started NEW social welfare programs tha even LBJ never dreamed of.