Relatively small expenditures in excess of revenues, when accompanied by a reduction in revenues, and no reduction in expenses, can balloon deficits and debts exponentially. The following occur, as well: 1) Opportunity costs (Money spent blowing things up cannot be spent on infrastructure to enhance and bring value.), 2) Unintended consequences (i.e., There is an increase in healthcare for everyone when demand is increased and supplies dwindle, due to diverted healthcare resources to care for the war's shattered bodies and minds, which further disrupts families and diminishes our workforce, etc.), 3) Increased interest (Less capital/money with increased demand results in rising interest.), and 4) Decrease in market efficiency (i.e., Market distortions occur as we try to maintain standards of living, with increases in transportation and other costs, due to resources diverted into war).
When you add all this to dramatic increases in healthcare, due to greed in a broken insurance system, a real estate bubble, and a corporate culture that has no accountability when it makes bad choices (and, in fact, is rewarded for doing so!), you reap the whirlwind.
No, maybe the wars can't be blamed for everything, but when did we get so smug and pompous to think we can fight wars and never have to even slow down on our way to the super pleasure dome that is America? Wars may "stimulate" economies, but they do not create value. They cause death, destruction, and ruin, with the spoils sometimes going to the victors. No civilization can survive ignoring the true costs of war, and paying for them – whether the Romans or U.S. citizens.
Loren M. Lambert © November 22, 2011
When you add all this to dramatic increases in healthcare, due to greed in a broken insurance system, a real estate bubble, and a corporate culture that has no accountability when it makes bad choices (and, in fact, is rewarded for doing so!), you reap the whirlwind.
No, maybe the wars can't be blamed for everything, but when did we get so smug and pompous to think we can fight wars and never have to even slow down on our way to the super pleasure dome that is America? Wars may "stimulate" economies, but they do not create value. They cause death, destruction, and ruin, with the spoils sometimes going to the victors. No civilization can survive ignoring the true costs of war, and paying for them – whether the Romans or U.S. citizens.
Loren M. Lambert © November 22, 2011
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