The Nation.

The Math on Government Spending

By Daniel Carol

March 10, 2008

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  • Although I applaud anyone attempting to put in writing some sort of mathematical calculations that show the return on certain types of government spending (and tax hikes, for that matter), I do not feel that impact assessments are the right way to inform the public or change the political dialogue on the subject. One need only look at this Administration's budgetary projections, for example. Or better yet, testimony in 2002 and 2003 regarding paying for a potential war in Iraq. Unfortunately, numerical projections like that can easily be manipulated to support completely baseless theories showing some sort of desired return on an investment. Despite the fact that there is no evidence to support it, I'm sure millions of Americans still believe that tax cuts pay for themselves and do so because of continual misstatements of fact by conservative pundits and politicians. Nevertheless, it really is nice to see this topic addressed in any meaningful way.

    Benjamin Hayes

    Arlington, VA

    03/11/2008 @ 3:41pm


  • There is a tendency in this magazine to make simple things complicated. Privatizing government services is a bad idea because they drive up the cost of government, and they are not efficient! A weapons system that doesn't work is a bad idea for the taxpayer, the country it doesn't protect and the soldier who has bad equipment! A bridge that doesn't go anywhere is a bad idea. Maintaining our infrastructure is a good idea! Travel is safer, and products can get to their markets! A single-payer health plan is a good idea, because we can have a healthy and relatively disease-free population. Social Security and Medicare are very good ideas! How are your stocks and 401Ks doing in this bubble economy? Would you rather have a government-guaranteed social safety net, or be fully dependent on Wall Street for your retirement and healthcare? Good programs work! Bad programs do not work! It is therefore logical to get rid of bad programs, and keep or enact good programs! This is not brain surgery!

    Pervis J. Casey

    Riverside, CA

    03/11/2008 @ 1:12pm


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