I tend to agree with your POV, as well as that of harpseal. We have simply slowed the juggernaut, not stopped it. It will take another Yorktown to do that, unfortunately. But such are the lessons of history.
I'm aware of the fact that GWB can't turn the entire monster.gov around by himself, even Reagan had to cut deals with the Rats.
The point is he has no desire to. Most of the big government initiatives in the original post were not the result of wheeling and dealing with Dems so that he can accomplish goals like destroying the Soviet Union, or dismantling an oppresive tax system.
Almost all of these things were initiated by HIS OWN ADMINISTRATION, without having his hand forced in any way whatsoever. Without getting anything in return.
These big government ideas were his and his alone. The responsibility lies squarely with him and nobody else.
I tend to agree with your POV, as well as that of harpseal. We have simply slowed the juggernaut, not stopped it. It will take another Yorktown to do that, unfortunately. But such are the lessons of history.