Morning in Argentina

A Washington Post editor interviewed new Argentine President Mauricio Macri in Buenos Aires, about where the nation stands now and his plans for the future. He certainly gave the right answers.

All politicians are adept at saying what their audiences want to hear. Nevertheless, Macri appears to be on track to do good things. He could justify cautious optimism for Argentina's future.

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One goal Macri enunciated which I can predict with confidence he will not achieve is "zero poverty." No country, to my knowledge, has ever achieved that and none is likely to do so.

All societies contain individuals unable (or unwilling) to function in a work environment. This includes those whose proclivities are self-defeating - examples of which include violence, substance abuse, compulsive gambling, and near-terminal sloth.

Unfortunately, efforts to support individuals with these issues encourages others to emulate them and discourages those still working. Smart societies are careful to avoid reinforcing unhelpful proclivities.