SNEK POLICY
Debt Is Sometimes Necessary. Pretending It Is Free Is Not.
Borrowing can be justified during wars, severe recessions, disasters, and genuine emergencies. Permanent deficit spending should not be treated as consequence-free.
Show how recurring promises are paid for
Major new recurring spending should generally identify a credible funding source. Major tax reductions should acknowledge their revenue effects rather than rely on unrealistic assumptions.
Make long-term obligations visible
Debt and future obligations should be reported to voters in understandable terms. People can disagree about the proper size of government without pretending arithmetic is optional.
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Why SNEK thinks this
Debt can be a useful tool during war, severe recession, disaster, or another genuine emergency. The problem is treating permanent borrowing as though future taxpayers never have to pay for it. SNEK wants government to be honest about the difference between temporary emergency financing and a recurring promise that has no credible funding source.
How it would work
Major new recurring programs should identify how they will be funded, and major tax reductions should acknowledge the revenue they give up rather than relying on unrealistic assumptions. Budgets should show long-term obligations in language ordinary voters can understand, including the cost of promises that extend well beyond the current fiscal year.
Where we’re flexible or still working it out
SNEK does not support an inflexible rule that makes deficit spending impossible under every circumstance. Emergencies happen, recessions happen, and capital projects can have long useful lives. Borrowing should be explained and justified rather than hidden behind accounting or treated as free money.