Republicans who believe in limited government, if there are any still alive and kicking, must shudder with big-government-disdain when reading this statement: "George W. Bush is the biggest-spending president since Lyndon B. Johnson." That's right, even when spending on defense and homeland security is excluded, "Bush is still the biggest-spending president in 30 years."

This news is the result of a recent study, "The Grand Old Spending Party: How Republicans Became Big Spenders," by Stephen Slivinski of the Cato Institute, a conservative Washington think tank with the motto: "Individual Liberty, Limited Government, Free Markets and Peace."

Here is another tidbit from the study that should leave lovers of Newt Gingrich's "Contract with America" sick to their stomachs:

"Government spending has grown from $1.86 trillion to $2.48 trillion - up 33 percent since 2001...nondefense spending has gone up dramatically as well - since Bush took office, domestic spending has shot up by 36 percent."

It turns out that most Republicans these days don't revile "big government" - they'll spend away if it serves political interests. When talking about government programs and services delivered to rank and file Americans with little political influence, many Republicans simply regurgitate old, hollow statements about fiscal responsibility when arguing for cuts to vital programs.

What happened to "compassionate conservatives"?
While Republican believers of limited government may agree with Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's drive to reduce the state budget, some may question the Governor's moral fitness.

Governor Blunt has shown that he is not afraid to cut programs vital to the health and well-being of many Missourians, yet he has shown little fiscal restraint in matters that directly affect the Governor's personal living standards. The Governor increased his executive mansion budget to $2.1 million for fiscal year 2006. One might ask how increasing the budget of the executive mansion benefits the taxpayers of Missouri.
Of course, the Governor has shown restraint elsewhere.

As a result of the Medicaid cuts sought and received by Governor Blunt, many Missourians are going to lose health coverage outright, while others will lose such vital goods and services as physical rehabilitation services, diabetes self management training, hearing aids, and optical services. Governor Blunt's 2006 budget also cuts $1.6 million in funds for persons with disabilities.

While a large number of Missourians have been losing healthcare coverage, Governor Blunt has been busy flying around the country attending meetings organized by the group that provided the Governor with a different kind of "entitlement" - campaign contributions. Governor Blunt leads the leads the nation in trips to events sponsored by the Republican Governors Association (RGA).

According to campaign finance reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission, the national RGA gave nearly $2.6 million to the Republican Governors Association Missouri Political Action Committee. The majority of this money was spent on behalf of Governor Blunt, according to a comment made by state GOP spokesman John Hancock to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Upon closer examination of campaign finance reports, of the $2.6 million spent in the state, the national RGA raised just $170,935 from Missouri sources.

According to the RGA's website, RGA events such as a recent retreat held in Idaho and attended by Governor Blunt and his family offer opportunities to extend "a special thank you to those members who demonstrate the highest degree of commitment and dedication to our mission of electing and re-electing Republican governors."

Given that the majority of money raised by the RGA for Governor Blunt's campaign came from sources outside of Missouri, one may wonder how these trips made by the Governor benefit the citizens of Missouri.

So while the Governor says "thank you" to his political donors, an estimated 68,219 working people in Missouri will eventually lose healthcare coverage as a result of the Medicaid cuts signed by Blunt.

Apparently the Governor is losing focus as it relates to limiting government expenditures. Governor Blunt's spokesman, Spence Jackson, has told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the Governor will call Missouri's legislators to Jefferson City for a special session to discuss items of the Governor's interest.

Special sessions are paid for by Missouri taxpayers. The session will likely meet for at least one week, and a session costs over $100,000 a week.

Apparently the Governor is interested in limiting government spending only on programs and services that do not affect Blunt's political interests.