The Creeping Meatball - Federal Subsidy Programs

Times are tough all over, money is tight so what does our government do? Grow, grow and grow some more. From Mark J. Perry writing at Carpe Diem:

All Aboard the Federal Gravy Train: We're In The Midst of Largest Federal Gold Rush Since the 1960s
Federal spending is growing by leaps and bounds. The budget hit $3.9 trillion this year, double the level of spending just eight years ago. The government is also increasing the scope of its activities, intervening in many areas that used to be left to state and local governments, businesses, charities, and individuals.

By 2008, there were 1,804 different subsidy programs in the federal budget. Hundreds of programs were added this decade�ranging from a $62 billion prescription drug plan to a $1 million anti-drug education grant�and the recent stimulus bill added even more. We are in the midst of the largest federal gold rush since the 1960s.

The only reason the government tolerates us is that they need us to re-elect them time after time -- that and sending them our tax money for them to use. It isn't about governance, it's about power and control.