"Unfunded Mandate": A too-seldom used term for this class of government policy failure. Legislatures decide it would be kind to help out some disadvantaged coh

"Unfunded Mandate": A too-seldom used term for this class of government policy failure. Legislatures decide it would be kind to help out some disadvantaged cohort, but don't want to dip into their own budget to pay for it, so they pass a law to make someone else pay case-by-case -- irrespective of ability to pay. Results are as you say: evasion by the cynical, contempt for government among the honest, litigation by opportunists. Other examples: "No Child Left Behind" Act, age discrimination and minimum wage laws.