A the company where I work we have been under tremendous budget restrictions for many years. There are no “free” goodies at meetings. We just had a department picnic last week - had to pay $10 each for the lunch. Time for those in government to start living like the rest of us.
The problem is the “free market” and capitalism. Your company makes you pay $10 for your lunch - just so they can make a bigger profit. (Well, that - and hopefully keep the doors open and not lay too many folks off).
But - what would you rather have? Pay your own $10 for lunch, or get a $16 muffin for free!? Obviously it would be best if the government ran all companies! “A muffin in every pot”!