Quinn v. Gates

EASTERBROOK, Chief Judge.

Shuttering a military base is a difficult task. Whatever the long-term benefit to national security and the fisc, the economy of the area near a closed base suffers. Members of the congressional delegation rally to their constituents’ support. Because keeping any one base going imposes very little cost (per person) on the rest of the populace, this support may be effective. Everyone favors closing bases in other districts while protecting their own bases, but that outcome is not feasible. The upshot may be-that all bases remain open, even though everyone could gain by…