How about a little honest perspective Haycox!  

Between 1841 and 1860 the US Government's total expenditure was roughly $100 per person adjusted to 2009 dollars versus nearly $20,000 per person today.  

Seems a bit deceptive to state "As for self-reliance, every aspect of American expansion west was heavily, consistently and proudly paid for and nurtured by the federal government." when you look at how much money the federal government was spending during those years.