What you're saying is true, although I'd also throw in that in addition to the war effort, there was also the Depression and inflation driving this bad legislation. One might draw parallels today with the recession and the likelihood of inflation following unprecedented borrowing, but that's neither here nor there.
In any case, I don't see how the specific motivation is relevant. The point is that the government is bad at anticipating the consequences of its actions. The initial motivation isn't what's important -- the end never justifies the means. The point is that pandering and public choice economics will always cause side effects.
In any case, I don't see how the specific motivation is relevant. The point is that the government is bad at anticipating the consequences of its actions. The initial motivation isn't what's important -- the end never justifies the means. The point is that pandering and public choice economics will always cause side effects.