But during the midterm elections in President Clinton's first term, real Republicans took the House and Senate. Newt Gingrich and the Contract with America would drive politics for six of the eight years Clinton was in office. The size of the federal government was reduced as a fraction of GDP. Welfare reform that Reagan couldn't get through a Democratic Congress was passed. Trade with China was approved as was NAFTA. Taxes were increased a little.

Clinton boasted that more than 300 government programs were eliminated as part of the agreement. He asked "Do you miss them?" Clinton also stated that "The era of big government is over."

During the Clinton administration, a group of governors were elected that made great effort to control state government growth. The overall size of government also shrank as a fraction of GDP.

The budget was balanced for two years under Clinton. In terms of government growth, actual numbers, the nation under Clinton controlled the size of government more than either Bush or even Reagan. The country produced lots of jobs, and the economy grew at a good pace. Both taxes and regulations were better controlled, and Clinton boasted about the number of millionaires he created.

Obama's administration is going rapidly in the opposite direction. President Obama, you're no Bill Clinton.

Douglas Miller

King George