The Air Force awarded a $35 billion contract for flying fuel tankers to a largely European consortium. John Maynard Keynes and many others have clearly shown that every dollar spent abroad costs the American economy many more. The “global economy” is a two-edged sword, with Americans brutally sliced by both edges as economies around the world compete for limited resources and drive prices up while our dollar devalues. Spending our billions abroad hurts us in the long run and destroys our own manufacturing capabilities.

Will the nation’s bureaucrats allow their standards of living to decline as a consequence, or will they find other ways to raise taxes? Where will new tax dollars come to replace those spent overseas?

The National Academy of Sciences published a study last December by Eunice Yu and Jianguo Liu that can help to highlight the answer. That study, “Environmental Impacts of Divorce,” found a 60 percent increase in economic burden upon a divorced family. Those family members have to earn at least that much more just to stay even with their prior lifestyle. It’s an obvious economic incentive to destroy American families that can be seen in the harm the laws on divorce and child custody create.

The Social Security Administration also benefits. If a divorce occurs before the 10th year of marriage is complete, no spousal benefits accrue, plus the ex-spouses will likely both be working full time and paying Social Security taxes. These broken families also contribute to the record numbers in America’s jails.

Coincidence, or careful planning?

Randall Hofland

Stockton Springs