The funding gap for U.S. state public employees: $1.38 trillion.

[CreekDog]

21. Yes, the former was recommended by many prominent economists

In fact, many economists, yes, respected ones, have recommended stimulative monetary policies like the latter you mentioned as well.

Investors were even hoping for it, as the markets are showing today through their disappointment that it didn't happen.

I realize you do bookkeeping, but don't you understand that the primary role of running a nation is the care of its people and not some line on a ledger sheet?

The funny thing is, countries that take care of their people and spend as needed, seem to have good economies.

Meanwhile, ours suffers, in part, because people are so fearful that losing a job will result in homelessness, lack of health care, disaster for their children, etc. It's a wonder anyone spends anything since this country doesn't have a proper safety net --other countries with less put us to SHAME for what they provide to their people (to each other).

And you want what little we have reduced and cut. Because of a stupid balance sheet.

It's all about money, isn't it? People may die, people may suffer, but by god, our currency and our budget will be in balance.

and the condition of our people will show that the balance sheet was what we cared about.

amoral.