Last month I provided evidence of the Republican Party’s specious policy of trickle-down, voodoo economics. Now let’s look at another cherished and specious Republican claim, heard over and over again each election cycle and almost daily from Republican legislatures — smaller government.
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, total nonmilitary federal employee numbers show the following:
President Jimmy Carter reduced the number of federal employees by 8,000 during his term.
President Ronald Reagan increased the number of federal employees by 238,000 during his term.
President George H.W. Bush reduced the number of federal employees by 30,000 during his term.
President Bill Clinton reduced the number of federal employees by 380,000 during his term.
President George W. Bush increased the number of federal employees by 53,000 during his term.
Total increases and decreases of federal employees by each party:
Democratic: decreased by 388,000
Republican: increased by 261,000
And another Republican canard bites the dust; more to come.
Paul W. Dutram
Waterville
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