> > >
> > > > > > >>
> > > >>>
>> > >>>Governments don't generate economic activity, except to collect
>> >>>resources, waste some fraction in the ballpark of 60%, and return
>> >>>what's left to people who will waste some more of that.
>> >>>John
>> >> Close.
>> >> Looks like I may have to start giving you some credit after all.
>> >Of course, some of that stuff, like defense and some social
>> >protections, are necessary, so we just lump the inefficiency. The main
>> >function of defense is to be so good that you never have to use it, so
>> >it's paradoxically a bargain when it's 0% efficient.
>> >But taxing people for, say, public works or education money, and
>> >pouring it Washington, and then doling it back out to the states, is a
>> >formula for waste. The closer the coupling of expenditures to the
>> >people paying for things, the more they will care about value.
>> >John
> > (Hey, there's classic wisdom in those John Larkin quotes.
>
> I don't care how much work John Larkin is pushing your way, claiming
> that he's a source of classic wisdom is such implausible flattery that
> even he may begin to choke on it.
>
> If John Larkin ever says anything sensible, it's essentially random
> noise - because he's (as usual) quoting something that he doesn't
> really understand.
John's great. Sends me nothing. Doesn't have to.
> Strike out on your own in this life, wander far enough,
> > deep enough, and eventually you'll find...footprints.
> > Sometimes, your own.)
>
> More meaningless twaddle.
>
> > Meanwhile, don't mess with Hollywood...
>
> Never a good idea. They have lawyers and money.
Thanks for the chance to update the subject line.
I responded to the post without noticing it was piling on an old troll. Corrected above. I'll strip all the other groups on any follow-ups.