The Democratic and Republican parties both want big government, but only one of them will admit it. Democrats like the government to provide a social safety net, regulate business to protect workers and consumers and are generally moderate towards defense spending (some are outright hawks, some are isolationists, most are moderate). But Democrats don't tell you they aren't for these things.

The GOP claims to be for small government, but what they really mean is for government to keep its hands off whatever big business wants. Whether it's environmental regulations, worker safety, illegal immigration to provide cheap labor...hands off. But when it comes to your personal life? They want government all up in your business. No drugs. No extramarital sex. No porn. And if you're not white, they have no problem doing illegal search and seizure to make sure you aren't about to do something. And when it comes to the military, police, DEA, NSA...everything that represents the most draconian aspects of government...they are all for more and more and more. Complete hypocrites.