We hear people throwing big numbers into the news all the time. The numbers might as well be -1 as umpty-seven billion. Both numbers become imaginary numbers to our frame of reference. Lets try to get a bit of perspective:
- The U.S. Population is a bit over 300 Million
- One Billion divided by that equals roughly $3.30
- The EU is claiming damages from our gambling stance of 100-billion
- That is a cost per citizen of about $330
- Antiqua-Barbuda is claiming damages of 3.4 Billion ANNUALY
- That is a cost per citizen of about a ten-spot
Now the government doesn’t send a fellow out from the IRS to collect on a per head basis. Your child in his crib isn’t going to get his blankey garnished. It is actually a bit more diabolical. There are varied revenue sources including business, licenses, and varied fees that the government collects. The amounts mentioned aren’t a tax hit to you directly. Yet, every dollar spent or wasted impacts you directly; much of it is just hidden from your view. It is the way government keeps us fat, dumb and happy. And it is why we like social and pork barrel programs