In absolute 2005 dollars, here are the percentage changes in federal category spending since 1962:
- Commerce and Housing Credit -39.4% (yes, that’s a decrease)
- International Affairs +2.7% (from here down the numbers are increases)
- Defense +56%
- Science and research +210.8%
- Energy +89.6%
- Environment +127.4%
- Agriculture +125.9%
- Air transportation +261.1%
- Community Development +535.5%
- Veterans Benefits +552.9%
- Training and employment social services +919.0%
- Administration of Justice +1,416.1%
- Education +1,919.6%
- Housing assistance +4,466.7%
- Ground transportation +9,860.0%
The largest non-defense dollar increase was in education, which saw spending increase $88 Billion 2005 dollars since 1962…and it’s not even a constitutional function of government!