@glennf: The government is too big. It is too invasive. I don’t blame Dems alone for that (Republicans expand both scope and intrusiveness more.)

@GlennF I agree with “invasive”, but “too small/big” doesn’t make sense without definition of terms.

@jeffporten The amount of money spent for return is too large. So.

@GlennF Collectively, sure. But some programs, like health care, are bargain over NGO options.

@jeffporten Right: those are efficient. But subsidies, military, etc., don’t offer good social return or infrastructure return.

@jeffporten Meanwhile, we don’t repay enough bridges, etc.

@jeffporten Air travel is a great example. Heavily subsidized in myriad ways relative to value.

@GlennF Yeah, I’d be hard-pressed to calculate “military” ROI. But if superpower status helps make dollar reserve currency? Maybe worth it.

@jeffporten No, I mean the stupid projects that get billions even when congress agrees they won’t work.

@jeffporten I mean, there’s efficiency and whatever, but the amount of public and black budget money spent on bullshit is very high.

@GlennF Sure. Would love a “did that work” means test. But GOP would prob apply to all R&D and basic science.