Perhaps obvious, but...The US government doesn't make money by taxing (like many presume) or by manufacturing (like many desire) but instead by printing.That is, it makes money by administering a global financial empire. And dollar inflation is global taxation.Derek Thompson (@DKThomp):I think a fun running series would be something like: What's that business's actual "business"?EG: Airlines don't make money by flying ppl around. The profits come from credit cards.What are other industries whose profit cent ...