Essentially, yes. I meant only by my original post that at least one party in this make-work relationship has an obviously useful skill set that isn't employed for the most obvious reason. I was also trying to imply that this makes irrelevant any social issues involved because the issues would not present themselves in a stronger economy. In no way, though, was I implying that my understanding of macroeconomics is as flawed as that of those like the idiot who happens to represent my district in Congress, (sigh).