Happy Cost of Government Day

On July 16, Americans mark the national Cost of Government Day (COGD), the date on the calendar year when the average American finishes paying off his or her share of federal, state and local spending, and the regulatory burden. Cost of Government Day falling on July 16 means that you had to work 197 days out of the year just to meet all the costs imposed by government. In other words, the total cost of government, far more than taxation alone, consumes 53.9 percent of national income.

The burden imposed by government has increased in recent years, leading this year's Cost of Government Day to be four days later than last year's COGD, and sixteen days later than COGD in 2000. The looming entitlement crisis will only exacerbate the problem of government consuming more of the national income and, if left unchecked, will move Cost of Government even later into the year.

The cost of government has also been ranked by state. You can go here to find out where your state ranks. I am very happy to know that my state, Texas, is one of the better ones. I was released from the cost of government on July 5th.