The 2004 federal deficit was the highest in US history and America has suffered three years of record shortfalls. Cities, counties and school districts are laying off policemen and teachers, closing schools and cutting services. But the fiscal pain won’t go away, and the bankrupt ideologies of left and right offer little guidance. The Price of Government presents a radically different approach to budgeting - one that focuses on buying results for citizens rather than cutting or adding to last year’s spending programmes. It advocates consolidation, customer choice and a relentless focus on results to save millions while improving public services.