[TheOtherHobbes]

When ever anyone talks about government inefficiency, ask what perfect efficiency would look like.

Nail them down to specifics. Not just improvements, but perfect efficiency.

Guaranteed they will soon start to flounder, because "inefficient government" is a propaganda talking point, not a fact that can be established with any workable economic definition.

And "the deficit" is the difference between what government chooses to spend and chooses not to tax.

A huge proportion of government spending is either/both an investment and/or a direct driver of beneficial economic activity. That includes "unworthy" spending like welfare.