Ask Ireland or its overlords how choosing short term economy over people worked out for them with the Irish Potato Famine. Andrew Carnegie became wealthy in the

Ask Ireland or its overlords how choosing short term economy over people worked out for them with the Irish Potato Famine. Andrew Carnegie became wealthy in the US instead of generating income for the UK - regardless of one's opinions of his overall morals or lack of them he was far more productive than the harvest they sold. That was a more extreme case of 20% to 25% of the population but losing a sizable percentage of productivity with the population is very expensive in ways apparent both on and off the balance sheets. It is the epitome of penny wise pound foolish to make such a trade - the bloody gains will fade away in time while the loss echoes.