Contrary to the claims of many politicians and media outlets, the main driver of the escalating national debt is greatly increased spending on social programs. From 1960 to 2022, federal spending rose from 17% of the U.S. economy to 24%, while social programs rose from 21% of all outlays to 64%. In the same period, military spending shrunk from 53% of all outlays to 17%. In contrast, the share of the U.S. economy collected in federal taxes has been roughly level for 80+ years, and the actual federal tax rates paid by the wealthy have been about level since 1979, as far back as reliable data extend. Most so-called "tax cuts" are actually "tax evens" that correct for laws that consume an ever-growing share of people's incomes through a phenomenon called "bracket creep."