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May 19, 2023·edited May 19, 2023

I wonder what the old german philosophers, of Hegel's and Kant's day, would make of all this?

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$1.75T for the US sounds like a lowball estimate. I think that much was spent by the Trump administration before Obiden even got started.

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As I wrote, it's a thought experiment, and a very crude one at that. Moreover, that US$ 1.75T for the US is simply an extrapolation of the 47.7b for Austria, i.e., that number doesn't include the additional 5.2b euros wasted on 'testing'. If included, the speculative US value stands around 2T (so far).

I would consider the numbers for both Austria and the US (as well as all other countries, too, for that matter) low; our magnificently complex governments have more ways to spend money than one or two departments and agencies.

As a thought experiment, I do wonder how 'the West' ever got anything done given these high levels of corruption, inefficiency, and wastefulness. Seen in this light, I doubt that the Ukraine war will be going on much longer, if only for 'our' inability to get stuff done.

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"‘Those who have abided by the rules now appear as the disadvantaged and the stupid ones’,"

"Appear."

Why, yes...that is what we have been trying to tell them. Oh God, friends...I have no words.

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