Some charts

Poll your average Democrat and chances are they probably see limited government as a truly frightening thing. Who would regulate the corporations and look out for consumer safety? How would we stave off mass poverty absent government social welfare programs? And what fate would befall our children without government "investments" in education? The US would surely descend into a dog-eat-dog existence, perhaps only a notch or two above Mad Max.

With that in mind I'd like to review a few charts. First a look at poverty:

(click to enlarge)

Keep in mind that the first legislation as part of President Johnson's War on Poverty wasn't passed until August 1964. We then see the poverty rate decline a bit less slowly for the next few years, reaching about 12 percent in 1969, and then roughly bouncing between 11-15 percent ever since.

Next up are deaths on the country's roads:

Source: Mark Perry

In examining the graph, recall that the first automobile design legislation wasn't passed until 1940, and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration wasn't established until 1970. My suspicion is that most of the explanatory power for improved highway safety is found in better cars and increasingly affluent citizens that can afford them.

Lastly, what on earth would we do without the Department of Education (established 1980)? This graph is instructive:

My guess is that the kids might actually start to learn something.

Meanwhile, just for giggles, here is a bonus chart: