The affordability crisis has a new companion: soaring government spending. A recent report from the conservative fiscal watchdog group Open The Books illustrates how dramatic the increase in federal spending has been over the past century. It reveals that per capita government spending has risen a staggering 9,800% since 1916—a time when the government spent an average of $208.36 per person, adjusted to today’s dollars. Fast forward to now, and that number skyrockets to $20,474.19 per person.
Even more alarming, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the federal government will hit a record $7.035 trillion in spending for Fiscal Year 2025. Such figures paint a clear picture of a rising spending pattern that has gone almost uninterrupted, according to Open The Books. Despite the government’s enormous spending, many Americans feel the opposite. “While American families and businesses find a way to do more with less, government does less with more,” states Open The Books CEO John Hart. This contrast raises critical questions about efficiency and priorities.
Hart points out that the current per capita government spending level equates to about $82,000 for a family of four. Remarkably, this amount is nearly identical to the median household income forecasted for 2024, which stands at $83,730. Such comparisons highlight the gap between government spending and the average American’s financial reality. Open The Books emphasizes that the government’s per capita spending even surpasses average household expenditures on basic needs. For instance, annual grocery costs for a family of four typically range between $12,000 and $20,000, while average mortgage payments are projected to be just under $28,000 in 2025.
The question looms: Why do Americans feel less secure in their finances despite having access to more luxuries than ever? The answer may lie in the disparity between government spending and its impact on citizens. During Donald Trump’s first term, Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) sought to address waste by identifying savings. Although DOGE managed to cut discretionary spending by approximately $150 billion, this amount pales in comparison to mandatory expenditures like Medicare and Social Security, which include spending of $912 billion and $1.5 trillion, respectively, for 2024 alone.
Open The Books has flagged the troubling trend of government spending increasing at a pace much faster than the actual size of the workforce or the economy. For example, though staffing levels at the Department of Education have plummeted since 2000, its spending has ballooned by an astonishing 749%. This raises fundamental issues: Is such spending justified? Are taxpayers reaping the benefits of these expenditures, or is it simply leading to greater inefficiency?
The core of the report raises tough questions about whether quality of life and innovation have improved in tandem with rising government spending. “Has quality of life, affordability, or innovation improved along with per capita spending?” Open The Books asks, stirring public concern. Beyond servicing a hefty national debt, what tangible benefits come from these expenditures? It is a clarion call for taxpayers to engage in scrutiny of federal financial practices.
As Open The Books moves into 2026, its commitment to exposing waste, fraud, and abuse in government remains steadfast. The agency declares that taxpayers deserve more transparency and accountability for every dollar spent. Addressing these critical issues will require a shift in how government expenditures are approached and a reassessment of priorities that truly reflect the needs of the American public.
Ultimately, this analysis of America’s fiscal landscape reveals a disconnection between the amount spent by the federal government and the experience of ordinary citizens. As the nation continues navigating the complexities of an escalating affordability crisis, these findings serve as a reminder of the urgent need for government efficiency and accountability.
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