I should have clarified that my comments did not apply purely to the federal level. In fact, it's a fairly well-understood irony that more local levels of gover

I should have clarified that my comments did not apply purely to the federal level. In fact, it's a fairly well-understood irony that more local levels of government have a higher impact on peoples' lives yet receive less attention from voters. Republicans are pummeling education systems in many of the states that they control. They've likely stolen the opportunity to be properly educated from multiple generations in the deep south. It's a tragedy. (http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/05/us-news-best-states-rankings-dont-smile-on-red-states.html http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2019/05/us-news-best-states-r...) I shouldn't have to point out that government healthcare spending is not higher in this country because we're doing a better job of providing it. The fact that you quoted the raw per capita spending number suggests you're unfamiliar with the dynamics of inflated healthcare costs in the US.