yes, that is correct, spending has greatly increased. however, one should observe that when "homeland defense" and a war time increase in the defense budget is subtracted, the resulting increase for the rest of government is just 2 percent. that is the lowest rate of increase in decades. because of the recession, which has ended, tax revenues have been much lower. the bush administration has vigorously pushed a policy of economic growth to get things in better balance. the tax package is just a part. much of this policy has been fiercely resisted by the Democrats.
also note that the portion of the GDP devoted to defense is only 3.2 per cent. the admisnistration has resisted, some would say foolishly, increasing defense spending due to this deficit problem. for those not informed, 3.2 is a very small figure everywhere but in europe. during the cold war, 6.5 to 9.0 was the rule. as far as i know, britain was the only free european country that ever raised its defense spending to the 3.2 level during that period. we always tried to get germany to give 3.0 per cent but it never happened. another demonstration that europe rarely pulls its own weight in these matters. oh, i forgot, turkey spends 10 percent and i think the greeks spend a lot, but, of course, greece is given a free economic ride by the EU, but the europeans with bouzikis are another story.