Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and the new Department of Government Efficiency should help President reelect Donald J. Trump implement a straightforward reform: Return federal spending to 2019 levels.
Americans lived large just before COVID-19. On New Year’s Eve 2019—nearly five years ago—the U.S. economy boomed.
Real annual gross domestic product grew by 2.5%. Unemployment was just 3.5% and at or near record depths for blacks, Hispanics, and Americans of Asian descent. Female joblessness was at its lowest point since Eisenhower was president.
The economy blossomed amid robust federal spending that totaled $5.46 trillion. Uncle Sam was no aloof skinflint back then. Paring Washington’s activities to that pace again will not starve babies or steer seniors into the streets.
So, as 2025 beckons, America should restore the budget threshold…
