Sounds like political propaganda. Scare the people with all of the things they'll lose if government goes away, then use it to justify raising taxes.
Politically, it makes perfect sense.
Good stewardship says: alright, we have less money- what can we cut to be more efficient? This is what successful businesses do.
Political calculation says: Alright, we have less money- what can we cut that will make the most people suffer so we can take more money from them? This is what governments do.