[ur-whale]

> Large levels of public spending are a choice that we have made as a society

It most certainly isn't a choice we've made democratically.

Rather, it's a case of boiling the frog: a thousand tiny cuts inflicted by elected politicians over the very long term which has slowly led to the monster size leech our government has become.

[lottin]

No, it is a choice that we've made. For example, in Europe spending cuts after the 2007-2009 financial crisis were met with widespread protests.

[tobltobs]

No, most people are just stupid enough to elect the one promising the most.