United States Government Spending as % of GDP

[Lewkowski]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_spending

"In 2010 the average national government spent $2,376 per citizen, whilst the average for the world's 20 largest economies (in terms of GDP) was $16,110 per citizen. Norway and Sweden topped the list with per citizen spending of $40,908 and $26,760 respectively. The federal government of the USA spent an average of $11,041 per citizen (per capita), ahead of only South Korea ($4,557), Brazil ($2,813), Russia ($2,458), China ($1,010), and India ($226) in the twenty largest world economies.[8] The figures below, indicate 41.6% of GDP spending and a GDP per capita of $54,629, which suggests and total per person government spending of $22,726 in the U.S.
"

Insanity.

[Aimless]

It's not news that the US overpays for stuff but I hope you realize that a third of the federal govt. budget comes from payroll taxes and that social security accounts for a quarter of its expenditures. The US govt. also spends far more on its military--over time--than almost any other country.

[Lewkowski]

It's not news that the US overpays for stuff but I hope you realize that a third of the federal govt. budget comes from payroll taxes and that social security accounts for a quarter of its expenditures. The US govt. also spends far more on its military--over time--than almost any other country.

Entitlements are a massive problem.

Previously I've been hawkish on military spending but I think we could do with a little less and use our forces more properly. I think Bush had some idealistic hopes for the Middle East and I commend the passion behind getting those third world hell holes on track to proper democracies but the culture there is simply too backwards. Without large number of troops (boots on the ground) for nation building and the like we can afford to spend less. Still keep the capability to wreck terrorists world wide (drones, air power, bombs etc) and naval deterrent assets but I don't see the need for a large numbers of foot soldiers anymore.

[LittleFuzzy]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_spending

"In 2010 the average national government spent $2,376 per citizen, whilst the average for the world's 20 largest economies (in terms of GDP) was $16,110 per citizen. Norway and Sweden topped the list with per citizen spending of $40,908 and $26,760 respectively. The federal government of the USA spent an average of $11,041 per citizen (per capita), ahead of only South Korea ($4,557), Brazil ($2,813), Russia ($2,458), China ($1,010), and India ($226) in the twenty largest world economies.[8] The figures below, indicate 41.6% of GDP spending and a GDP per capita of $54,629, which suggests and total per person government spending of $22,726 in the U.S.
"

Insanity.

Nominal data, unnormalized by PPP or other necessary metric. Useless.

[Loki]

Ditto. The US outspends poorer countries. Shocking.

[Unheard Of]

Entitlements are a massive problem.

Previously I've been hawkish on military spending but I think we could do with a little less and use our forces more properly.

Look at the procurement process. Seems biased to low volume, high tech solutions, and pork barreled to the hilt. I have no idea how you would fix that.

[Loki]

Look at the procurement process. Seems biased to low volume, high tech solutions, and pork barreled to the hilt. I have no idea how you would fix that.

Actually listen to these guys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct...ram_Evaluation

Perhaps require something like an up-down vote on every military procurement in a year instead of letting Congressmen pork-barrel their way to bankruptcy.

[Unheard Of]

Actually listen to these guys: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct...ram_Evaluation

Perhaps require something like an up-down vote on every military procurement in a year instead of letting Congressmen pork-barrel their way to bankruptcy.

Right, but how would you lobby for that effectively?

[RandBlade]

Some things are truly remarkable like that the US government spends more public money on healthcare per person (both in cash terms and as a percentage of GDP) than the British government does. I don't understand what kind of messed up system you have whereby state expenditure exceeds that for the NHS here and then you spend the same again with private funds.

[Loki]

Right, but how would you lobby for that effectively?

Congress allowed just that on trade agreements. And it agreed to limit pork-barrel spending in the past (and it has gone down). I think if most Americans knew how this process worked, they'd be pretty pissed off, and that's what usually leads to change. Of course there's no way for them to get informed given the current media landscape.

Some things are truly remarkable like that the US government spends more public money on healthcare per person (both in cash terms and as a percentage of GDP) than the British government does. I don't understand what kind of messed up system you have whereby state expenditure exceeds that for the NHS here and then you spend the same again with private funds.

Cost of medicine. And having a middle man (insurance).

[RandBlade]

The cost of medicine should be roughly similar between the nations. I thought insurance was private expenditure, does government expenditure go through insurance companies too?

[Steely Glint]

Medicare does. I think health-care is just general more expensive in the US, for various reasons.

[Loki]

The cost of medicine should be roughly similar between the nations. I thought insurance was private expenditure, does government expenditure go through insurance companies too?

Do we really need to have this debate? The US pays market price for medicine to encourage more R&D. Europe, including the UK, does not.

[Dreadnaught]

Plus all the downside of socialism without any of the upside

[GGT]

Congress allowed just that on trade agreements. And it agreed to limit pork-barrel spending in the past (and it has gone down). I think if most Americans knew how this process worked, they'd be pretty pissed off, and that's what usually leads to change. Of course there's no way for them to get informed given the current media landscape.

Don't you mean the current *political* landscape? Isn't that the fucked up process here?

I think most Americans ARE pissed off with how we're taxed, and how those tax dollars are used or misused.....but can thank "the media" for exposing and disseminating the facts. Our legislatures are full of *politicians* that use spin and propaganda for Party purposes.

[Loki]

Most Americans might be pissed off with how their tax money is being spent, but they also have no idea how their tax money is being spent.

[GGT]

Most Americans might be pissed off with how their tax money is being spent, but they also have no idea how their tax money is being spent.

That can only be true if they limit their info to social media (like Limbaugh or Breitbart) that pose as News sources...while also being told not to trust "traditional" news. It's a weird self-fulfilling conspiracy theory that took hold because Republican leadership didn't nip the Alt-Right in the bud.

[RandBlade]

That can only be true if they limit their info to social media (like Limbaugh or Breitbart) that pose as News sources...while also being told not to trust "traditional" news. It's a weird self-fulfilling conspiracy theory that took hold because Republican leadership didn't nip the Alt-Right in the bud.

What are you talking about? It's true of probably any free nation.

[Lewkowski]

I'm not sure you quite understand how talk radio and right leaning sites operate. Here's a hint: They tend to be on the extreme version of the mainstream party. IE Republican leadership can't put a muzzle on them (nor should they try).

[Loki]

That can only be true if they limit their info to social media (like Limbaugh or Breitbart) that pose as News sources...while also being told not to trust "traditional" news. It's a weird self-fulfilling conspiracy theory that took hold because Republican leadership didn't nip the Alt-Right in the bud.

It was true long before talk radio, though it is worse now.