Shamrock is right, of course, though I too would like to see moure of his sources (which may be his own opinion). Governments are very unlikely to reduce their own size -- would you vote yourself out of a job?
The theory that government will always take a mile when given an inch is pretty old. If given power, the government will tend to keep it and try to increase it. If allowed one intrusion into your life, the government will try for 2, then 3, then 4. This notion of governmental behavior is sometimes referred to as "the crack in the egg." For hardcore philosophy behind it, check out Hayek.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Hayek
http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/hayek.htm
[ 11-29-2005, 11:16 AM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]