On: Federal Tax Revenue Will Barely Cover Mandatory Spending This Year

[toomuchtodo]

Shame is not a trait the people doing this have. You can't appeal to them; you must treat them as irrational actors and act accordingly.

[awshepard → toomuchtodo]

Is it economically rational, or irrational, to pass costs on to someone else if one can? It seems a little odd to pass costs to one's grandchildren, but hey, then it's "not my problem!" and they can vote to pass the costs to their grandchildren!

[slededit → awshepard]

The costs are diluted by inflation and the children inherit the built infrastructure. If the diluted debt is less than the value of the infrastructure then everyone wins.

[dsq → awshepard]

It is rational because the costs are being passed on to our (the 99 percent) grandchildren, not to theirs (the top decision makers).

[paulddraper → toomuchtodo]

I'm not sure they are "irrational" actors.

Inconsiderate actors. Unscrupulous actors. But not irrational actors.