numbers vs other numbers?

Economics Economics Questions
1

I was reading this article

and I came accross the numbers about how reagan raised taxes 53%

in a similar article a 2004 liberty magazine article, R.W. Bradford presents some compelling analysis he compiled with data provided by the consumer price index, and the Census Bureau’s annual government spending sheets. He states, “Since 1970, spending has grown 64% faster when a republican sits in the White House than when a Democrat does.” I am sure there will be those that will rebuttal with claims that these events only occur when the congress is fully democrat. Well, according to the data, spending is least when the executive and legislative branches are held by opposite parties. In fact, depending on which party holds which branch, the annual average rise in spending is between .89 and 1.92%; a fact that bolsters my long held suspicion that the nation is better off when Washington is in stalemate, but I digress. From 1970 up until 2004, there was a total of 12 years in which democrats sat in the white house. During these terms, their spending increased an average of 1.29% per year, as opposed to the 22-year stent of republican executive power with an average spending increase of 2.12% each year.

here is the link for that

http://www.libertyunbound.com/sites/files/printarchive/Liberty_Magazine_November_2004.pdf

so my question is, is there a difference between the two numbers I am in conflict with, or is one of the authors work faulty. This would seem like quite a huge contradiction in numbers. less than 2% a year vs up to 50%. Anyway, if anyone could please tell me whats happening id appreciate it. This is for an article Im writing and I want to make sure i have my facts straight.

2

Reagan raised taxes by 25.3% in real $ throughout his 8 year presidency. The 53% number is not adjusted for inflation and it is calculated from 1981 to 1988 which is only 7 years and is, therefore, inaccurate.

Spending (adjusted for inflation):

1970-2009

Republican President (27 years): +3.56% / year

Democratic President (13 years): +3.39%/year

Republican House (12 years): +2.87% / year

Democratic House (28 years): +3.78% / year

Republican Senate (16 years): +3.19% / year

Democratic Senate (22 years): +3.69% / year

Split Senate (2 years): +4.01% / year

Republican President, Republican House (6 years) : +4.12% / year

Republican President, Democratic House (21 years): +3.40% / year

Democratic President, Republican House (6 years): +1.64% / year

Democratic President, Democratic House (7 years): +4.92% / year

3

so what do the numbers from the liberty unbound article refer to. And the mises article states that he raised spending 53% not taxes, which i think there is a difference, altough they clearly go hand in hand a lot of the time.

4

this is the mises article i meant to post.

5

I don’t think they include any transfer payments (welfare, social security), just the numbers included in the GDP “government” category. That would make the numbers much smaller. But when people refer to the federal budget, it includes transfer payments.