Well, sure. But the reason we don't have "money on hand" to pay for anything is we're servicing all the debt we racked up in previous years.
Over the long term people who pay off their credit cards every month are in a better cash flow position, which is why I laugh when people say they need cards to maintain their standard of living. Countries are no different.
Now, if you're making an investment sometimes it's worth borrowing money. Businesses do that all the time. Governments do it too, but only very rarely, and they usually end up spending far more past the point of diminishing returns.
Over the long term people who pay off their credit cards every month are in a better cash flow position, which is why I laugh when people say they need cards to maintain their standard of living. Countries are no different.
Now, if you're making an investment sometimes it's worth borrowing money. Businesses do that all the time. Governments do it too, but only very rarely, and they usually end up spending far more past the point of diminishing returns.