It is just a sign of our times; there is an expectation in this country -- whether it be our politicians or institutions ---that we get something for nothing.  There is too much focus on the immediate future and very little attention to events in the distant future.  From monetary policy, to infrastructure build out, to education, to entitlement programs and to our energy policy, everything we do today mortgages our future.  And with competition for resources -not just raw materials but intellectual resoursces from the developing world - , never has it been more important that social and economic policy be the most far thinking as possible.  Placing a band aid over everything is not the solution. 

Great article by the way!!!