Sure, I'll concede that. It would have fell even further had Reagan not raised taxes.
Thank you - so Reagan did hold true to his principles, government's role in the economic life of the nation did roll back. Compare and contrast to the increases in the Department of Education, Medicare, et al, from Bush - increases in defence spending were defensible, this is not - and to suggest that it shows an even greater adherence to conservative principle than Reagan is insane.
Ivan