January 29, 2010 4:06PM 

# This Week in Government Failure 

By [Tad DeHaven](https://www.cato.org/people/tad-dehaven) 

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Over at [Downsizing Government](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/), we focused on the following issues this week:

- The federal government added its [2,000th subsidy program](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/2000-federal-subsidy-programs) for individuals, businesses, or state and local governments. Statists, rejoice!
- Hundreds of the nation’s mayors meet in Washington to [grovel for federal handouts](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/mayors-want-more-federal-money).
- President Obama’s [proposed spending freeze](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/obamas-spending-freeze) *wouldn’t* actually be a freeze.
- USDA chief Tom Vilsack says [food stamps](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/food-stamps-economic-driver) are an “economic driver.” Seriously.
- It’s hard to reconcile the massive increase in [federal aid to state and local governments](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/state-and-local-subsidies) with the Tenth Amendment.

##### Related Tags 

[Tax and Budget Policy](https://www.cato.org/tax-budget-policy) 

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