The Government's "Credit Card"

Credit cards are dangerous.  Not just because of the personal debt they can help create, but because of the change in spending habits.  Statistically, you buy more and spend more when you charge because the purchases cause less "pain" than cash or debit purchases would cause.  Basically, it's easier to spend money when you know you won't have to actually pay for it until later.  This fact is not only accurate, but also intuitive.

But can it work the same way for governments?

Phrase Of The Day: Libertarian Paternalism

"The most important social goals are often best achieved not through mandates and bans but with gentle nudges."  That is the basic theory behind Libertarian Paternalism (google it), as explained by the authors of "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth, and Happiness" (which I have not read).

Dear Abby:

I don't usually read your column; but there wasn't much news this past week, and I was bored on Sunday.  I read the letter from a woman in line at the grocery store.  Apparently, she got in line and was waiting for her husband to bring the cart.  Another man arrived just after the woman, so the husband couldn't join his wife in line.  The woman was upset that her husband wouldn't insist on moving ahead of the other man.  You responded that she could have insisted, and spared her husband the embarrassment.  Are you both crazy?

God Bless The American Soldier

“My husband just got back from a year long deployment to Afghanistan where seven of his fellow soldiers were wounded and have received Purple Hearts. Those of you who are claiming they are killing people and then "framing" the Taliban should be ashamed of yourselves.