6 Comments
Apr 1, 2021Liked by Chris J. Karr, David Thornton

If only fiscal restraint was practiced pre-pandemic(sigh). The GOP Congress and Clinton not only produced solid achievements in welfare reform, but also balanced the budget and generated surpluses. If only that would've continued. I've had major criticisms of the Bush 43 era, and its profligacy. But that seems tame compared to what happened afterwards. Obama and Congress didn't care enough about fiscal restraint as they should have. But at least they agreed to sequestration, which as imperfect as it was, did implement a bit of spending discipline. Trump of course, didn't give a fig about fiscal responsibility, and it didn't take long for many members of Congress to concur with his cavalier attitude about spending.

For the infrastructure bill, I would like to see a concerted effort that the monies appropriated for it will go directly to improving our national infrastructure, and that wasteful spending that is not germaine to the purpose of infrastructure is weeded out. Perhaps Congress can look for ways to offset infrastructure spending by making meaningful cuts elsewhere, as the price tag definitely needs to come down. It'll require some compromise of the wish lists Ds and Rs have. But it would be a win for this nation to get some meaningful infrastructure improvements coupled with some fiscal responsibility. Let's hope for the best!

Expand full comment

Wouldn't it be better to invest this sort of cash in a re-invasion of the Middle East or maybe a sustained air campaign against Latin America?

Expand full comment

I can see at least 50% being necessary (roads/bridges/etc..., and the water infra structure).I wonder how much Biden is willing to remove to get those?

Expand full comment

I hope that the "scaling back" you speak of is at least 90%.

Expand full comment