The rules of politics are not always the same as the rules of economics. In discussions of setting budgets for government agencies, there is a strategy called "closing the Washington monument." When an agency faces the unwelcome prospect of a budget cut, it may decide to close a high-visibility attraction enjoyed by many people (like the Washington monument). Explain in terms of diminishing marginal utility why the Washington monument strategy is so misleading. Hint: If you are really trying to make the best of a budget cut, should you cut the items in your budget with the highest marginal utility or the lowest marginal utility? Does the Washington monument strategy cut the items with the highest marginal utility or the lowest marginal utility?

John and daphne are saving for their daughter ellen's college education. ellen just turned 10 at (t = 0), and she will be entering college 8 years from now (at t = 8). college tuition and expenses at state u. are currently $14,500 a year, but they are expected to increase at a rate of 3.5% a year. ellen should graduate in 4 years--if she takes longer or wants to go to graduate school, she will be on her own. tuition and other costs will be due at the beginning of each school year (at t = 8, 9, 10, and 11).so far, john and daphne have accumulated $15,000 in their college savings account (at t = 0). their long-run financial plan is to add an additional $5,000 in each of the next 4 years (at t = 1, 2, 3, and 4). then they plan to make 3 equal annual contributions in each of the following years, t = 5, 6, and 7. they expect their investment account to earn 9%. how large must the annual payments at t = 5, 6, and 7 be to cover ellen's anticipated college costs? a. $1,965.21b. $2,068.64c. $2,177.51d. $2,292.12e. $2,412.76