9 Comments

another dangerous economic myth which is repeated ad nauseam is that a government is like a household and has to 'balance its books' - which is wrong in that (1) government spending and taxation is only one part of the national economy and (2) government doesn't have control over the other parts. Also national governments (except in the EU) can create further money:

https://theconversation.com/why-the-federal-budget-is-not-like-a-household-budget-35498

https://neweconomics.org/2018/10/a-government-is-not-a-household

https://billmitchell.org/blog/?p=332

Expand full comment

Don't we already kind of subscribe to toothbrushes? That's the ultimate aim of all of this right, to create things that don't last forever. Every company is looking for it's added value.

Expand full comment

That is actually a really good point and I'd never considered before now how planned obsolescence is kind of a subscription model!

Expand full comment

This does seem to be an almost uniquely American problem.

Expand full comment

do you pay an annual subscription to use Word on your computer? not uniquely American....

Expand full comment

I was referring to the unique inability - wilful or innate or failed education - of Americans understanding of basic differences between economic and political systems.

Which has nothing whatsoever to do with periodic payments of any kind.

Expand full comment

ah my apologies, I misunderstood!

Expand full comment

No problem, I was a bit confused with your response, especially given I'd just received my annual MS renewal and price increase email.

Spooky. 😂

Expand full comment

oh dear!

Expand full comment