Who Are The Biggest Spenders? (Hint: It's not the Democrats. It's not the Republicans.)

I fear for my country when I think of a Democrat president and Democrat congress.

According to Reason magazine, my fears are somewhat justified.

Here's Veronique de Rugy, writing in the November 2008 issue:

"When it comes to out-of-control spending, conventional wisdom says the Democrats are most likely to bust open the coffers. That's why many fear an increased Democratic majority in Congress topped by a Democratic president. And we should be afraid. Democrats are indeed big spenders. Second only to Republicans."

If limited government is the goal, history tells us we should root for Democratic presidents and Republican Congresses. And regardless of party, _________'s should be kept far away from the White House."

I'll fill in the blank in a minute.....

She goes on to rank the various combinations of discretionary spending from mediocre to worst:

1) Democratic White House, Republican Congress

2) Republican White House, Democratic Congress

3) Unified Republican or Democratic rule.

De Rugy believes that growth in discretionary spending is the best indicator of financial responsibility, simply because it can be written out of the books each year. (It's only fair to mention that no one has ever decreased the total. Some combinations merely allow it to grow slower than others.... And she doesn't mention which combinations voted to approve the largest increases in non-discretionary spending. That would go back to FDR.)

And what group should be prevented from entering the White House under any circumstances, if reduced spending is your goal?

Not Democrats, and not Republicans.

Texans.

Yes, Texans.

"During the last 48 years, the six largest annual percentage increases in real discretionary outlays were split between two presidents, Lyndon Johnson and George W. Bush.....While LBJ and GWB increased discretionary spending between 6.6 percent and 14.8 percent in their most profligate years, the average annual increase during the last 48 years has been a much more modest 1.7 percent."

So, to everyone living in the other 49 states, the next time you see one of these Lone Star State bumperstickers?

Encourage us. It's for your own good.