Perhaps most important, the debate over the size of government is about the ability of people to make decisions for themselves and be responsible for their own lives. Every dollar that big government spends the way it wants is one less dollar that individuals have to spend the way that they want.

Adams was elected president with 71 electoral votes, one more than was needed for a majority.

The most widespread measurement of national economic growth is gross domestic product, or GDP. The U.S. government collects and compiles economic data through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS. Even economists who understand the statistical limitations of GDP still rely on it as a proxy for economic growth.

Most analysts have defined “government size” as the ratio of government expenditures to the total output of an economy, with total output usually measured by gross domestic product (GDP) (Mann, 1980; * The authors shared equally in the preparation of this paper; the ordering of names was determined randomly.

The size of state government can be measured by looking at the government’s spending or revenues relative to the size of the state’s economy. The Bureau of Economic Analysis provides this information (see figure 2).

The core mission of OMB is to serve the President of the United States in implementing his vision across the Executive Branch. It reports directly to the President and helps a wide range of executive departments and agencies across the Federal Government to implement the commitments and priorities of the President.

OMB ensures that agency reports, rules, testimony, and proposed legislation are consistent with the president’s budget and administration policies. OMB also oversees and coordinates the administration’s procurement, financial management, information, and regulatory policies.