[adios]

What in your mind is a true measure for comparison's sake?

Edit: Apparently you know already that revenues when adjusted for the factors you mention are above the historical average and median. If we look from 1952 (when spending increased alot) then we're above the average and right at the median. Revenues were at the max during the late 1990's. Many attribute that to the windfall the government received from capital gains from the stock market boom and view them as an aberration.

I think you need to look at the spending side of the budget to get a true picture of what's going on with government spending. Basically spending reached an all time high during the Reagan years but when Grahm-Rudman kicked in, spending was reduced significantly. It's been rising since 2000 and from what the politicians are stating, it will continue to rise at a rate that will eventually be what is was during the Reagan years.