WHERE THE MONEY GOES
The way our tax dollars are divvied up has changed significantly in the past 30 years. The government now devotes far less to defense and proportionately more to Social Security and health.
--1971
Defense 37[cents] Social Security 17[cents] Income Security 11[cents] Net Interest 7[cents] Health 6[cents] Edu., Vets, Transp. 14[cents] Other 8[cents]
--Fiscal year 2001
Social Security 23[cents] Health 21[cents] Defense 16[cents] Income Security 14[cents] Net Interest 11[cents] Edu., Vets, Transp. 10[cents] Other 5[cents]
Sources: Tax Foundation, Office of Management and Budget
SPENDING THE REFUND
About 73% of taxpayers got a refund...