[runako]

> the size of the government has vastly and consistently outgrown the private sector in both times of feast and famine

The US government at the start of this administration was roughly the same as it was in 1970[1]. This, despite the addition of new departments (1970 is pre-EPA, for example), many new responsibilities, etc. And obviously the government has to perform all these services for 140 million more people than in 1970, a 70% increase.

Doing more with the same resources is a textbook definition of increasing efficiency.

1 - Seriously, you won't see the growth you describe in the data: https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/CES9091000001