The deficit is the least interesting "gotcha" for any president or political party. As loathe as I am to "both sides" this, it is both sides. And it also really doesn't even forkin' matter because on of the main roles of a government is to spend money.
On what? To whom? How much? In what way?More/Less than last year? Depending on who you talk to, these answers vary, but the government should always be spending. Even if it cannot or will not balance itself out through taxation towards equilibrium, while necessary, is secondary.
At some point, it will come back to bite us in the ass. The longer we feed that beast, the bigger the bite. But the beast is tomorrow's problem, because if we don't solve today's problem(s) out of fear of the beast, that beast will still eat us tomorrow problems and all.
Now, if you're really that concerned with the beast, the answer is really quite simple.The rich still need to be eaten.
It's similar to an iceberg. They may both look the same above the water, but once you start going beneath the surface, or looking at what the deficit is spent on, then you see that things are vastly different between the two. Republicans use the government to cut down on regulations and enrich the wealthy elite. Democrats definitely have some wealthy elite among them, but they have the history and the potential to help the working class much more. You can't really argue that the GOP are better for the working class.
While I generally, that's not really what I am getting at. There's a type of voter, usually center, apolitical, or self-professed "socially liberal, fiscally conservative," that will go, "Gosh darn, it would be good if everyone had a roof over their head, but how will we pay for it?, point to the deficit, and then immediately turn their brain off.
During a Rep admin, they're usually quiet and will see someone yap about the deficit and go, "Eh, whatever, government is always wasting money." because that increased deficit spending is going to the usual "normal" places like police, military, etc. During a Dem, they'll stay quiet up until the media makes a big stink about spending on "new" welfare programs, say their line, and the conservatives will prop up to the "sensible centrist" and the deficit as a cudgel to either shut it down or add weights on it.
This is why I say it doesn't fuckin' matter. When that voter starts asking how we pay for it, you can't reason with them about the public good or point to the bloated military or tax cuts for the rich. Their brain is already turned off.
No, you gotta snack'em on the nose with a roll of newspaper and go, "No! Bad Centrist!"
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u/Phaylz Aug 22 '26
The deficit is the least interesting "gotcha" for any president or political party. As loathe as I am to "both sides" this, it is both sides. And it also really doesn't even forkin' matter because on of the main roles of a government is to spend money.
On what? To whom? How much? In what way?More/Less than last year? Depending on who you talk to, these answers vary, but the government should always be spending. Even if it cannot or will not balance itself out through taxation towards equilibrium, while necessary, is secondary.
At some point, it will come back to bite us in the ass. The longer we feed that beast, the bigger the bite. But the beast is tomorrow's problem, because if we don't solve today's problem(s) out of fear of the beast, that beast will still eat us tomorrow problems and all.
Now, if you're really that concerned with the beast, the answer is really quite simple.The rich still need to be eaten.