Your Opinion: Politicians refuse to spend responsibly

Dear Editor:

Why does everyone say the federal government needs to suck more of the life out of us, and our economy, by taking more of our money? Wouldn't it be refreshing if someone in Washington, D.C., would just tell us the truth, rather than just more smoke and mirrors? Below is information that you will not see in the media nor be given by any politician.

From 1993-2000, when Clinton was president, the annual average federal spending was $1,586 billion. The average deficit was $40 billion. The federal budget during those years sucked up 19.8 percent of GDP. Federal spending sucked up less of GDP every year during the Clinton presidency. In 1993 it was 21.4 percent of GDP, by 2000 it had dropped to 18.2 percent of GDP.

Remember - Clinton - budget surplus.

Under Bush, 2001-2008, the annual average spending was $2,396 billion while the average deficit ballooned to $251 billion. During the Bush presidency the amount the federal government sucked out of our GDP increased from 18.2 percent in 2001 to 20.8 percent in 2008. From Clinton to Bush federal spending increased an average of $800 billion a year. The spending increases were partially due to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but equally due to increases in welfare spending. This was an incredible increase in spending, and an equally incredible increase in deficits.

Under Obama, 2009-2012, the average federal spending has been $3,593 billion. His average deficits have been $1,333 billion. This is an average annual spending increase of $1,200 billion and an increase in deficits of $1,100 billion. Even more astounding spending/deficit increases than under Bush. Under Obama the federal government is sucking up 24.4 percent of GDP. TARP is over, the "stimulus" is over, the war in Iraq is over (a savings of over $100 billion a year); where is the money going?

Folks, the problem with the federal government is not that it does not have enough money. The problem is that politicians refuse to make any effort to spend responsibly. They will never get enough of our money until they have it all.

Please contact your senators and representative and tell them no to more revenue for the federal government. I have asked them to explain to me who is getting the $1,200 billion more in spending under Obama, not one of them has responded with an answer.