I agree. Which is why the IMF rhetoric is suspect. It almost feels like a new narrative thread is being developed with the end goal of manufacturing consent for austerity in the USA. Why would they do that? I can only imagine the goal is to "reform retirements and pensions" meaning loot the old, loot social security, end Medicaid and Medicare, and blame it on "the other" in order to generate more support for mass imprisonment, sanctions, and war (but I repeat myself).

Let the record show June 10 2024, Freagle puts a bet down that these words from the IMF will be referenced later to justify austerity and a bunch of liberals are going to support killing the poors via neglect because "fiscal responsibility" and "vote blue if you want to fix it".