Yes, when the gov't is corrupted by a GOPer like Stevens.
Its not a GOP thing. Dems love their pork as well. Its been growing with each new congress (with the possible exception of the 1st Gingrich congress) for a quite awhile.
However, they also are more likely to put money into such things as building subsidized housing or creating parks or building roads.
Subsides are problematic. They might on the balance be worth it in certain circumstances, but often they don't solve the problem that they where instituted to solve, while they cause others. Also subsidies are likely to go to people or groups with political pull.
The three things that you mention are only a tiny part of federal government spending. The big items are Social Security, Defense, Medicare, Medicaid, interest. But even outside of entitlements, defense and interest, parks, housing subsidies, and roads, are only a tiny part of federal spending.
And at least spending on roads is loaded with pork. I'm not so sure about the other two.
The problem with this is that since the government distorts the incentives, the efficiency of investment, and the amount of wealth the investment creates, is reduced.
Not all things are about profit. I know that's hard for a hardened capitalist like yourself to accept.
Your right that not all things are about profit. But the profit incentive is probably the largest force for good in the world. |
