Something that's unsustainable, like a dysfunctional relationship, can go on longer than you expect, and then end faster and messier than you think.
Peter R. OrszagIf you didn't auction the [CO2] permits, it would represent the largest corporate welfare program that has ever been enacted in the history of the United States. All of the evidence is that what would occur is that corporate profits would increase by approximately the value of the permits.
Peter R. OrszagIt is a foregone opportunity that we could have a trillion dollars more of income for the United States if we were producing at capacity rather than falling so far short of it.
Peter R. OrszagWell, a deficit reflects an imbalance between spending and revenue, and so narrowing it requires acting on one, the other or both.
Peter R. Orszag