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American here. Anecdotally citizens would rather not have this be the case, but in my experience several factors nullify action: - The number is so big it is n

by uticus 2y ago

American here. Anecdotally citizens would rather not have this be the case, but in my experience several factors nullify action: - The number is so big it is now an imaginary, abstract concept. A trillion cannot be imagined or comprehended, even when explained by dividing into comprehensible numbers. No perceived reality means it doesn’t really exist. - The lack of consequences (certainly immediate, but probably longer-term) means this is an abstract intellectual concept. Abstract-loving types will be intrigued, others will devote brain power to more practical matters throughout the day. - The culture is generally okay with spending exceeding income at every level from household, to locally financed projects, to larger corporations, to the largest budgets of the government. Personally I think household economics should influence and does inform government spending, which is a controversial stance, but regardless if you agree with liking it or not, I hope you’ll agree the culture is generally comfortable with debt. - Generational plans are typically an uphill battle against the needs of the moment. Not specifically an American item perhaps, and I will refrain from commenting on why this is so, but nevertheless another main factor, in my opinion. Pointing out the problems is always easier than fixing them, so I apologize for stopping here without providing my personal utopian solutions.

rawgabbit 2y ago
I would also add one more factor that drives the increasing debt. - Changing U.S. presidential administrations and shifts in the political parties controlling Congress can negate any fiscal savings achieved. History suggests that even if the current administration reduces the national debt, subsequent administrations and Congresses tend to increase it again.
- uticus 2y ago
  Although you’ve gained my admiration for pointing to the lessons history proves, I’m inclined to disagree mainly because the changes you mentioned were in effect during all of American history, but the debt was not. Less convincingly I also feel the potential stability of monarchy is negated by the evils of having centralized power. I am an American after all.
AnimalMuppet 2y ago
One more reason: loud minorities. Almost everybody agrees that the federal government is too big, or at least too expensive. (Ask "do you want to pay for all that the government is doing?" You will get very few "yes" responses.) The problem comes with what to cut. Do you want to cut, say, the merchant marine? Very few people care about it. But the ones who do are much more vehement that it must remain than others are that it should be cut. Their intensity wins even if their numbers say they should not. And so it is with virtually every other line item in the federal budget. The result is that nothing can be cut.

by uticus 2y ago

rawgabbit 2y ago

I would also add one more factor that drives the increasing debt. - Changing U.S. presidential administrations and shifts in the political parties controlling Congress can negate any fiscal savings achieved. History suggests that even if the current administration reduces the national debt, subsequent administrations and Congresses tend to increase it again.

uticus 2y ago
Although you’ve gained my admiration for pointing to the lessons history proves, I’m inclined to disagree mainly because the changes you mentioned were in effect during all of American history, but the debt was not. Less convincingly I also feel the potential stability of monarchy is negated by the evils of having centralized power. I am an American after all.

AnimalMuppet 2y ago

One more reason: loud minorities. Almost everybody agrees that the federal government is too big, or at least too expensive. (Ask "do you want to pay for all that the government is doing?" You will get very few "yes" responses.) The problem comes with what to cut. Do you want to cut, say, the merchant marine? Very few people care about it. But the ones who do are much more vehement that it must remain than others are that it should be cut. Their intensity wins even if their numbers say they should not. And so it is with virtually every other line item in the federal budget. The result is that nothing can be cut.