[econjack]

I disagree with your hopeless view. People vote on the basis of what politicians can "give" them. They are seduced by everything from subsidized rents to free cell phones. I guess it's human nature to grab what you can for yourself rather than consider the alternatives that might exist if you thought about society rather than yourself.

I often wonder what would happen if the President held a press conference and announced an Executive Order that said:

Starting tomorrow, all budgets are cut by 10%. I expect each agency to continue to provide the same or better service than before the cut. If you cannot do so, I will find someone to replace you who can. Have a nice day."

I believe there is more than 10% slop in the budget and gov't could be more efficient if they had to be so. As it is, there is no penalty to spending other peoples' money inefficiently and, until they are held accountable by an informed electorate, the status quo will not change.

[Elsie]

... I guess it's human nature to grab what you can for yourself...

Tocqueville said it long ago:

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• The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.

  Alexis de Tocqueville

[libertarian66]

Tha’s why libertarianism was the answer. No handouts and taxation at near-zero level. It’s better people die of starvation than man loses his liberty. We have this strange idea that “everyone should make it” - evolution says otherwise. The weak MUST be eliminated by a free market or the entire society is doomed.

There is no right to life except at your own expense. The Social Darwinists were correct, and the welfare state - based on Christian charity - has doomed us all. Altruism is the greatest evil, Im shocked how prescient Ayn Rand was.