Obama Spending Trends Charted
Ken McIntyre /
So, would President Obama’s budget plan really increase deficit spending much more than other modern presidents? Well, yeah, to the tune of seven times more, measured as a percentage of economic output, than under President Kennedy over 45 years ago — as you can see in this chart.
It’s one of the 37 easy-to-follow information graphics in Heritage’s updated and expanded 2009 Federal Revenue and Spending Book of Charts.
How much and how fast would our national debt go up under the Obama plan? Is it true that, amid the flood of government spending, the defense budget would fall to what it was before the 9/11 attacks?
In the Book of Charts, taxpayers will find clear answers to those questions about the new administration, along with other tax and budget trends important to them. For one: Tax rates will have to be doubled if Congress doesn’t reform Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. (more…)