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Fixing the deficit is the opposite of looting, actually.

steve_adams_86 2y ago
There is no solid evidence of a path to fixing the deficit at the moment. There is no evidence of this happening, nor of a serviceable plan to do so. All recovered expenses, to date, add up to a laughably small amount, and are one-time cutbacks. The strategy shows signs of costing the government in unexpected ways as well. Most governments of developed nations operate in more sensible ways with clearer plans than this. I won't claim they are looting, but it's absurd to suggest they are fixing the deficit at the moment. The economy appears to be getting worse, not better.
Hamuko 2y ago
Let me guess: the deficit will be fixed without taking the axe to any contracts to Musk-affiliated companies like SpaceX.
btreecat 2y ago
> Fixing the deficit is the opposite of looting, actually. What evidence is there that the current moves will lead to "fixing the deficit?" Illegally redistributing of appropriated spending could be easily understood as looting in most context. Not sure how this would be excluded.
ncallaway 2y ago
> Fixing the deficit is the opposite of looting, actually. I think this has two errors. First, I don't agree that he's fixing the deficit. I think that's an assumption not in evidence. We'll see in a few years time, though. I'd be willing to bet in 4 years the deficit is > 0, and likely larger than it is today. But let's assume arguendo that he is fixing the deficit. It's still possible to loot the treasury while fixing the deficit, which shows that they aren't actually the opposite. Consider this example with completely made up numbers: Before - Revenue: $1T - Defense Spending: $500B - Benefits Spending: $1T - Public Services Spending: $499.9B - Government Contracts with Musk's Companies: $100M The before scenario has $1T in revenue, and $2T in spending, for a deficit of $1T. Now, let's allow hypothetical Musk to have free-reign to "fix the deficit" After - Revenue: $800B - Defense Spending: $300B - Benefits Spending: $300B - Public Services Spending: $100B - Government Contracts with Musk's Companies: $100B In this scenario the deficit has been reduced to $0, while Musk has enriched himself and his companies with $99.9B in government funds. This would be an extreme example of Musk looting the treasury, while still completely resolving the deficit.

There is no solid evidence of a path to fixing the deficit at the moment. There is no evidence of this happening, nor of a serviceable plan to do so. All recovered expenses, to date, add up to a laughably small amount, and are one-time cutbacks. The strategy shows signs of costing the government in unexpected ways as well. Most governments of developed nations operate in more sensible ways with clearer plans than this. I won't claim they are looting, but it's absurd to suggest they are fixing the deficit at the moment. The economy appears to be getting worse, not better.

Hamuko 2y ago

Let me guess: the deficit will be fixed without taking the axe to any contracts to Musk-affiliated companies like SpaceX.

btreecat 2y ago

> Fixing the deficit is the opposite of looting, actually. What evidence is there that the current moves will lead to "fixing the deficit?" Illegally redistributing of appropriated spending could be easily understood as looting in most context. Not sure how this would be excluded.

ncallaway 2y ago

> Fixing the deficit is the opposite of looting, actually. I think this has two errors. First, I don't agree that he's fixing the deficit. I think that's an assumption not in evidence. We'll see in a few years time, though. I'd be willing to bet in 4 years the deficit is > 0, and likely larger than it is today. But let's assume arguendo that he is fixing the deficit. It's still possible to loot the treasury while fixing the deficit, which shows that they aren't actually the opposite. Consider this example with completely made up numbers: Before - Revenue: $1T - Defense Spending: $500B - Benefits Spending: $1T - Public Services Spending: $499.9B - Government Contracts with Musk's Companies: $100M The before scenario has $1T in revenue, and $2T in spending, for a deficit of $1T. Now, let's allow hypothetical Musk to have free-reign to "fix the deficit" After - Revenue: $800B - Defense Spending: $300B - Benefits Spending: $300B - Public Services Spending: $100B - Government Contracts with Musk's Companies: $100B In this scenario the deficit has been reduced to $0, while Musk has enriched himself and his companies with $99.9B in government funds. This would be an extreme example of Musk looting the treasury, while still completely resolving the deficit.