From James Hamilton
if everybody and their grandmother is lining up for a bailout, and pulling political strings ([1], [2]) to make sure they get it, I read that as prima facie evidence that the taxpayers’ interests are not being properly represented.
READER COMMENTS
Lee Kelly
Jan 25 2009 at 1:56pm
When politicians sell debt, they are not selling entitlements to the product of their own labour, but everyone elses. Only if they spend money in a way which allows everyone else to satisfy those entitlements more easily will it have been worth it.
But lending to government is about the most risky use of scarce resources that one can imagine. Sure, the risk and cost of malinvestment appear small to the borrower and lender, but that is at the expense of everyone else.
When bereaucrats–who have neither the incentive nor feedback to invest money wisely–squander resources, the costs are socialised. I fully expect that government “investment” now will reduce the economies’ ability to honour its debts in the future.
This is the opposite of an investment, this is not the road to prosperity. Let us just hope that the private sector can do enough to compensate for such waste.
Mercutio.Mont
Jan 25 2009 at 2:45pm
I wonder if “one dollar (paid in tax), one vote” is the most stable form of government.
It would certainly seem to address the issue Hamilton discusses here.
The Sheep Nazi
Jan 25 2009 at 2:53pm
Now he tells us.
Huxley
Jan 25 2009 at 3:09pm
Government debt will not be paid back in dollars worth anywhere close to what they were worth when they were borrowed. I bet. I believe Mr. Schiff has it right.
Lee Kelly
Jan 25 2009 at 5:47pm
Suppose that you were approached to invest in a new company.
After some investigation, you discover that the manager has no experience, huge debts, and frequently lies. He never monitors profits, his career may benefit from corruption, and he is not personally liable for any losses.
It would be disastrous for an economy if the government subsidised investment in such a company using taxpayers money, wouldn’t it?
RL
Jan 25 2009 at 9:11pm
What’s the problem? Can’t the taxpayers just get in line for the bailout too?
[This IS a joke, but I’m betting some people think like that…]
Comments are closed.