In 1969, the Gallup Organization began asking Americans whether the government was spending too little, about the right amount, or too much for national defense and military purposes.  That year, no doubt reflecting concerns about Vietnam War spending, 52 percent of Americans said the government was spending too much. By February 2001, just after Bush took office, that number had fallen to 19 percent. But six years later, Americans are again questioning the amount of money the government spends on defense. In February, 44 percent told Gallup that the government is spending too much. Still, a plurality of Americans (47 percent) say that the country’s national defense is not strong enough, compared to 10 percent who say it is stronger than it needs to be and 41 percent who describe it as “about right.”  Source: The Gallup Organization, latest that of February 2008.