What can we learn about the U.S. debt crisis from a classic South Park episode? Turns out, almost everything. In this episode of Red Tape, Kelli and Shoshana dissect the classic Margaritaville episode from Season 13 of South Park in 2009.  Host Kelli Pierce is then joined by Nan Swift, a Resident Fellow for R Street’s Governance Program, to examine the complexities of the U.S. budget and why bad ideas persist in government. Also, why is Bill Gates receiving farm bill subsidies?  Kelli also speaks with Jonathan Bydlak, Policy Director for the Governance Policy Program and a Resident Senior Fellow, where they discuss the differences between how the federal government and states handle budgeting, and the implications of people seeking more and better public assistance. Also, what Bernie Sanders and Rand Paul have in common. (0:05:36) Using Cartoons to Understand the World (0:12:46) The Partisan Use of Budget Reconciliation (0:21:52) Congressional Spending and Priorities (0:32:51) South Park and Economic Perceptions (0:38:34) Federal Reserve Versus US Treasury (0:41:31) The Importance of Fiscal Discipline (0:47:31) Public Perception vs. Actual Votes (0:50:26) Budget Discipline and Hard Choices