[jdmichal]

The problem is that flows like GDP count the "same dollar" multiple times. When the dollar moves from one place to another, it's counted. (To preempt the pedants: Yes, there are exceptions as to exactly where these counters are. Not every movement is counted.)

That's drastically different from having to have a large pile of "different dollars" to make a large purchase like this.

[jmh530]

GDP is a measure of value-added. That's why they net out things like net trade.