In light of the passing Stimu-less package, with millions of Americans calling their Senators hundreds-to-one in protest (2010 elections are coming and you can fire these idiots with your vote), I'm posting a few (very) short political stories of Ambrose Bierce.
The Politicians and the PlunderSeveral Political Entities were dividing the spoils. "I will take the management of the prisons," said a Decent Respect for Public Opinion, "and make a radical change." "And I," said the Blotted Escutcheon, "will retain my present general connection with affairs, while my friend here, the Soiled Ermine, will remain in the Judiciary." The Political Pot said it would not boil any more unless replenished from the Filthy Pool. The Cohesive Power of Public Plunder quietly remarked that the two bosses would, he supposed, naturally be his share. "No," said the Depth of Degradation, "they have already fallen to me."
The City of Political Distinction
Jamrach the Rich, being anxious to reach the City of Political Distinction before nightfall, arrived at a fork of the road and was undecided which branch to follow; so he consulted a Wise-Looking Person who sat by the wayside. "Take _that_ road," said the Wise-Looking Person, pointing it out; "it is known as the Political Highway." "Thank you," said Jamrach, and was about to proceed. "About how much do you thank me?" was the reply. "Do you suppose I am here for my health?" As Jamrach had not become rich by stupidity, he handed something to his guide and hastened on, and soon came to a toll-gate kept by a Benevolent Gentleman, to whom he gave something, and was suffered to pass. A little farther along he came to a bridge across an imaginary stream, where a Civil Engineer (who had built the bridge) demanded something for interest on his investment, and it was forthcoming. It was growing late when Jamrach came to the margin of what appeared to be a lake of black ink, and there the road terminated. Seeing a Ferryman in his boat he paid something for his passage and was about to embark. "No," said the Ferryman. "Put your neck in this noose, and I will tow you over. It is the only way," he added, seeing that the passenger was about to complain of the accommodations. In due time he was dragged across, half strangled, and dreadfully beslubbered by the feculent waters. "There," said the Ferryman, hauling him ashore and disengaging him, "you are now in the City of Political Distinction. It has fifty millions of inhabitants, and as the colour of the Filthy Pool does not wash off, they all look exactly alike." "Alas!" exclaimed Jamrach, weeping and bewailing the loss of all his possessions, paid out in tips and tolls; "I will go back with you." "I don't think you will,", said the Ferryman, pushing off; "this city is situated on the Island of the Unreturning."
The Politicians
An Old Politician and a Young Politician were travelling through a beautiful country, by the dusty highway which leads to the City of Prosperous Obscurity. Lured by the flowers and the shade and charmed by the songs of birds which invited to woodland paths and green fields, his imagination fired by glimpses of golden domes and glittering palaces in the distance on either hand, the Young Politician said: "Let us, I beseech thee, turn aside from this comfortless road leading, thou knowest whither, but not I. Let us turn our backs upon duty and abandon ourselves to the delights and advantages which beckon from every grove and call to us from every shining hill. Let us, if so thou wilt, follow this beautiful path, which, as thou seest, hath a guide-board saying, 'Turn in here all ye who seek the Palace of Political Distinction.'" "It is a beautiful path, my son," said the Old Politician, without either slackening his pace or turning his head, "and it leadeth among pleasant scenes. But the search for the Palace of Political Distinction is beset with one mighty peril." "What is that?" said the Young Politician. "The peril of finding it," the Old Politician replied, pushing on.
Comments (3)
We tried your laissez-faire do nothing
approach for 3 years from 1929-1932. The result? 25% unemployment in
1932. No thanks! Then FDR did full keynesianism and monetarism and got
unemployment down to 10% in 1936, before the massive keynsian borrowing
and spending of WW2 got us all the way out of the depression.
Keynesianism works. I'll stick with the tried-and-true economics.
@ElDuderinoCA - No, we tried laissez-faire economics from 1776 until Woodrow Wilson and the dawn of the unconstitutional and Anti-American Federal Reserve Bank. If you're going to challange me, get your facts straight. But if you think the government should change your dypers, and let you sit in front of the tube all day while they pay you to vote for them, give you a chip in your head, and monitor what you say, when you eat and piss, and this will create wealth, you can have it.
Socialism has failed where ever it's been tried, from the Pilgrim's to Adolf Hitler, and the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over while expecting the same result.
@ExecutionofSwiftVengeance - Hoover reduced the money supply by 1/3, cut taxes, cut spending, and balanced the budget. That is about as laissez-faire an approach to a recession as I've ever heard of. YOUR need to get YOUR facts straight. You sound like a communist saying "the USSR wasn't REAL communism, REAL communism works."