Yep. Too many believe they are entitled to everything they desire and shouldn’t have to pay for it. And to government is willing to accommodate them by printing imaginary money. It won’t have a good ending.
One time, a long time ago, I worked for a local government. The town manager had a big meeting with all 500 employees and said they had to lay some people off. I stood up and volunteered to take a pay decrease (basically it was like getting 2 unpaid days off a month) and suggested that if everyone did that, no one would have to be fired.
It went over like a lead balloon. The firings went well.
I’d give up every exemption on my tax forms as long as everyone else did the same and if it was ONLY used to climb us out of the debt hole. However, I think most people know deep down that the people taking the most from the budget are never going to do that, so why should they. And if you aren’t going to demand it, then why not keep your powerful legislator at the table to ensure you get whatever scraps you can, right up until the end?