Political Science

Except as noted, these graphs print best in “landscape” (horizontal, wide) print format.

Except as specifically noted, these have NOT yet been revised to reflect CPI data for the most recent years. 

Note that for some charts users of browsers other than Internet Explorer might have to use the “open link target in IE” option or equivalent.  The “summary pdf” files that contains all subsection charts, located at the end of each sub-section, should operate properly for all browsers.

The charts on the following topics are available either by scrolling down or by selecting the appropriate link: 

• Price levels and the US economy These data have been revised to reflect final 2012 inflation data.  These graphs show trends in national government spending and revenues, the size of the nation's economy (gross domestic product, GDP), and minimum wage in current and inflation-adjusted dollars.  Data are for all or part of the period 1789 to 2012.

Some of the following have not been updated for a number of years.  They will be revised later in 2013.

• Millionaires Then and Now
• Pay of Presidents and Members of Congress--the pay of presidents and members of Congress graphs have been revised to reflect final 2012 dollars
• Selected Government-related Items (number of government employees, Social Security and AFDC/TANF; stamp prices, minimum wage, mean and median family income) 
• Presidential Election Costs 1860 to 2000   (Because of recent very large developments in campaign finance, data for recent years do not appear comparable with data for decades prior to 2000.  As a result, this data series probably will not be revised for the later period, though the inflation-adjusted base year will be updated periodically.)
• National Government Budget:  Outlays (Spending), Revenue, Deficits or Surpluses, and National Debt
• Selected Commodity Prices (gasoline and gold) [gasoline revised March 2011)]
• Movies
• National Defense
• Health Care
• Net Interest and Medicaid
• Social Insurance and Public Assistance
• Social Security and Medicare

• Change in Various Categories of National Government Spending