Well no, gov spending is not more appropriate than gdp for exactly the reason you mention. If taxes are lower and hence less money is spent on social support,

Well no, gov spending is not more appropriate than gdp for exactly the reason you mention. If taxes are lower and hence less money is spent on social support, that has nothing to do with the military. Still I don’t think that applies much to the USA - I think the total tax burden is comparable in many states. Medica* and SS are also huge parts of the budget.