Things exist in accordance with their natures, and to the extent they act, they act in accordance with their natures. So... We have a generation of politicians, of both parties and of whom Thompson is symbolic, who want to say "yes" to voters: Yes, you can have what you want, and you can have it now. The solution to this problem requires leaders to say "no" to voters: No, you cannot have all the retirement benefits you've been promised or desire, because we can't afford them. Americans reject that message, and our leaders don't dare deliver it. ... In wealthy democracies -- welfare states all -- individual benefits once conferred are considered sacrosanct, but when their total costs threaten the collective good, they must somehow be controlled. There's the paralyzing contradiction. The politics of "yes" must ultimately yield to the politics of "no" -- and the longer it's delayed, the more painful it will be. That's Robert Samuelson in the WaPo. So, as I was saying, things exist in accordance with their natures. To wit, McDonald's sells burgers and fries and not cucumber & watercress sandwiches because it's a burgers and fries fast-food joint. Duh. Babies cry, rub their food...