Explanation of The Stimulus Bill
Published Thu, Feb 26 2009 9:20 AM
Once again my dad has sent me some humorous email with a point, and once again, I reproduce it here with only minor formatting.
Shortly after class, an economics student approaches his economics professor and says, “I don't understand this stimulus bill. Can you explain it to me?”
The professor replied, “I don't have any time to explain it at my office, but if you come over to my house on Saturday and help me with my weekend project, I'll be glad to explain it to you.” The student agreed.
At the agreed-upon time, the student showed up at the professor's house.The professor stated that the weekend project involved his backyard pool. They both went out back to the pool, and the professor handed the student a bucket. Demonstrating with his own bucket, the professor said, “First, go over to the deep end, and fill your bucket with as much water as you can.”
The student did as he was instructed. The professor then continued, “Follow me over to the shallow end, and then dump all the water from your bucket into it.” The student was naturally confused, but did as he was told.
The professor then explained they were going to do this many more times, and began walking back to the deep end of the pool. The confused student asked, “Excuse me, but why are we doing this?”
The professor matter-of-factly stated that he was trying to make the shallow end much deeper. The student didn't think the economics professor was serious, but figured that he would find out the real story soon enough.
However, after the 6th trip between the shallow end and the deep end, the student began to become worried that his economics professor had gone mad.
The student finally replied, “All we're doing is wasting valuable time and effort on unproductive pursuits. Even worse, when this process is all over, everything will be at the same level it was before, so all you'll really have accomplished is the destruction of what could have been truly productive action!”
The professor put down his bucket and replied with a smile, “Congratulations. You now understand the stimulus bill.”
I'm beginning to believe that this explains much more than just the stimulus bill. Sometimes it seems that it explains, or rather describes our actions at the ballot box as well.
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David responded with:
 | The only difference is that Congress has a way station between the deep end and the shallow end where all those who want to can crap in the bucket... |
Stanford Matthews responded with:
 | Regarding your comparison of the 'pool' story to action at the ballot box it seems with few exceptions the money that produces our ballot choices is met with close election outcomes that do not amount to much more than a 50/50 split with one candidate getting something more than 50% of course.
Only when enough people get outraged at one time does there appear to be any real public engagement with the process and it is very short-lived. It seems to me most who vote are registered. Mostly left votes left, right votes right and the less party connected probably end up near a split.
The ballot box is only one tool. If the public acquiesces to power and influence we get the outcomes we get. Same ol, same ol, and little changes.
Gingrich seems to believe the budget debate will produce the largest fight since 1965 on the future and direction of this country. I do not. Those who benefit from leftie handouts will not object and the rest of us will not mount an opposition large enough to avoid disaster. That sad outcome will bring the change and not the kind Obama promotes. Too bad we always have to do things the hard way. |
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