Why has the federal government grown so big?
454545
Until the current administration I would have said Democrats... But the Republicans have proven they also are far too expansive for my taste.\n\nThere are a couple reasons though. \n\n1. Socialistic causes for the general population.\n2. Jobs (mostly appointed) for the buddies of the politicians.  If you want a good job thats secure in this country best be good friends with a political office holder.
209949
By having all these government programs, people become more\nand more dependent on the government doing everything for them instead of being self-sufficient. You wouldn't have so\nmany people who abuse these programs which is costing all of us a great deal of money (thru taxes and medical costs).
765076
The odometer just rolled over to 300,000,000 (three hundred million.  We are on our way to a Chinese like, or Indian like population.  When the population reaches a certain size it will begin to expand geometrically, (doubling, tripling, etc.)
11245
A presidential government is a form of federal system.
1070776
The government can control the economy, providing stability and a sense of certainty that would lead to a rise in economic activity. The economy can then sustain a steady growth
260340
Government like people have good and bad traits.  The taxes also pay for the schools, roads, services, courts, police and many more services that we used daily without knowing it.  We usually have to be more active politically to get the government to change.
20909
immigration has been causing the population to increase.  this has stimulated the economy, causing prosperity to many.
525846
because money talks and bullsh it walks.\n\nThe biggest reason is SPECIAL INTERESTS and NO term limits.
224223
The US is not governed effectively, but that is not due to size; it is largely a product of a federal government that consistently oversteps its authority and lack of adequate representation.
1104677
They have to make room for bigger and better things.
97318
Because one the state becomes basially the toy of the sovereign, it becomes a reflection of his honor, and so to enlarge one is to enlarge the other. It's the same reason that people with sports cars drive fast even when they shouldn't.\n\nThe wars were fought also because the people who start the wars (the sovereigns) aren't connected with the people fighting the wars (the commoners). Modern democracies, for instance, try to prevent this effect by having the leaders elected by the folks who would fight any war.
622944
Why because if the government just printed more money then inflation would occur and it would cost 10 million dollars to buy bread.  Check out what happened to Germany during WWII.
1075058
It is a phenomenon called bureaucratic dysfunction. It doesn't just happen in the United States. It happens everywhere in the world. The purpose of government is to demonstrate why it is right and just for government to keep on governing. \n\nIt has been going on forever. Machiavelli railed about it in the late 1400's in Italy. That was back in the days when the DiMedici's and the Borghia's were in a virtual civil war in Italy. \n\nI personally think that people get a little weird about big government. It is a lot better for government to be big than small in SOME but not ALL cases. \n\nTaxes are oftentimes lower in big governments because governments develop infrastructure. In countries where there is no infrastructure, like Third World countries, more people get killed by all the things infrastructure protects them against. \n\nIn the United States, people can travel freely from one part of the country to the other. In third world countries, the lack of roads and access is what also causes famine, civil wars, deaths due to natural disasters. Phasing out the Highway Department would mean that people couldn't move freely, that goods and services couldn't travel freely, thereby creating shortages. \n\nIf you phased out politicians jobs, there would be no infrastructure for conflict resolution. If you phased out the health department, there would be no infrastructure for health care. And there would be no infrastructure for resolving health care issues like Medicare Part D, or health insurance. \n\nIf you want to hate government, you have a right to do that. But it is necessary, if for no other reason than to protect and maintain the infrastructure that protects us from being a third world country.
407521
The size of the House of Representatives was set at 435 early in the 20th century.  It's only set by law, so Congress can increase the size if they so desire.
176601
The government is all about rules. Sometimes what you think is best for you or for anyone else doesn't follow the government's rules. Plus, the government has layers and layers of bureaucracy. Trying to get any meaningful change through all of that is very difficult.
308185
A representative government has proven itself to be the best form of government.  No arguing that.  The US also has capitalism going for it.
149584
50% of the costs are paid by the Federal Government.\n\nMedicaid is Budgeted 12.45 billion in increase of 746 million.