austerity
Austerity is a public virtue by which a state impresses fiscal prudence by amputating its own legs rather than raising taxes. It sacrifices economic growth, dismantles social welfare, and bequeaths poverty to future generations in the name of common good. It thrives on the contradiction of politicians whispering sweet promises before election and screaming “let’s share the pain” the morning after. It tightens purse strings for the masses while prompting the affluent to fizz champagne, a brilliant testament to a modern class system. Under austerity, the poor grow poorer and the rich toast with higher towers of champagne.