This chart from the Congressional Budget Office shows the actual and projected U.S. budget surplus/deficit in the 2000's.  Recent levels of government spending are absolutely staggering (and costs related to proposed healthcare reform aren't even included here).

There are good arguments to be made that the government's actions over the past 2 years have saved us from the disintegration of our global financial system.  But these deficit numbers are scary nonetheless, and our elected representatives show no real signs of letting up on the gas.