@
Punches It's because saving money is regarded as an obvious good in a domestic economy. 'Common sense' regards government debt as the same kind of thing as personal debt and this gives license to those who would wreck the economy of the state.
Those intent on the wrecking spree don't need to benefit directly in financial terms, the mere fact that they are doing it is regarded as positive by their economically ignorant supporters.
Similarly with the return to mercantilism in the form of broad tariffs. The tariff by itself will not magically generate new jobs and industry. Unless paired with financial support for the industries that use that use the products hit by the tariff and strict regulation of the local producers it will put out of work those who used the products. At the same time the local producers of those products will simply raise their prices and profits without needing to increase supply or jobs or to invest in improved processes.
I'm actually not totally against the idea of tariffs but they are only one component of the machinery of supporting one's local industry, they will not have a positive effect by themselves except in the sense that the ignorant will cheer when they are implemented.
