Many years ago a couple asked me to play Dutch Uncle to them. To advise them. They had gone bankrupt twice. They were headed toward another bankruptcy. (The bankruptcy judge had forbidden them to use credit cards. They got new ones using his brother’s name. Don’t try this at home.)

We went over their spending habits. I identified a dozen places where they could spend considerably less. With each one, they rejected my suggestion. They said they absolutely had to have all four vehicles. They absolutely could not do without their annual vacation. She absolutely had to have her hair done once a week. They absolutely had to have a home as large as theirs. Etcetera, etcetera.

They expected they would make more money gradually. I pointed out that they had made more money at various stages in the past. And that each time they had spent it. And then some. Ahh, but this time would be different. Or so they assured me.

They went bankrupt a third time.

This, of course, is Washington. Has been Washington. Perhaps it will continue to be Washington. Until we are bankrupt. Technically we are, anyway.

A Dutch Uncle would suggest we cut this program. We would insist we could not cut that program. Absolutely not. Too many people depend upon it.

Well, then, why not cut this program? Gosh no, we would tell him. We could not possibly cut that program. Absolutely not.