The worst possible (or close to) solution to keep "anti guvernement spending" activists away is keeping your spending secret.
"CALIFORNIA SPENT $20 MILLION ON PAPERCLIPS LAST YEAR, THAT IS TOO MUCH"
> No we did not.
"SHOWS US THE BOOKS. HOW MANY PAPERCLIPS DID YOU BUY AND FROM WHOM"
> No that is secret.
"IT CANT BE YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SHOW US HOW MANY PAPERCLIPS"
> Well we can, but it is too much work, so no.
Governments should strive for transparency and be able to admit errors
if any are made.
"CALIFORNIA SPENT $20 MILLION ON PAPERCLIPS LAST YEAR, THAT IS TOO MUCH" > No we did not. "SHOWS US THE BOOKS. HOW MANY PAPERCLIPS DID YOU BUY AND FROM WHOM" > No that is secret. "IT CANT BE YOU ARE REQUIRED TO SHOW US HOW MANY PAPERCLIPS" > Well we can, but it is too much work, so no.
Governments should strive for transparency and be able to admit errors if any are made.