[meyer]

“the government SPENDS as much as $80 billion on tax breaks” Spends?

Apparently, in the thief's mind, failure to steal is the equivalent of spending.

[popdonnelly]

“Apparently, in the thief’s mind, failure to steal is the equivalent of spending.”

An analogy is that of a burglar who “spends” money by not burglarizing your house. };>)