How to: Save the Economy

Save the Economy: Dig and Refill Holes


Many folks look back fondly on FDR’s efforts to pull us out of the Great Depression. Killjoys point out that FDR’s deeply flawed policies didn’t work – we had the longest, most sustained depression since perhaps the Renaissance.

At least some solace is taken from the widespread assumption that WWII finally bailed us out. Perhaps some see today’s overseas adventures as serving a similar purpose in this economic tailspin.

But we don't need no new stinkin' wars to "stimulate" the economy. I have a FAR better plan.

To return to full employment and a prosperous nation, let's spend billions, nay, TRILLIONS to dig gigantic holes in the ground, and then simply refill them.

Offhand I can think of a dozen advantages of my plan vs. a WWII-type economic recovery strategy. Actually, my plan provides most of these advantages over ALL the other proposed stimulus and bailout packages as well. Consider:

We don't have to kill or maim throngs of people on "their" side – or ours.
We'd be destroying no property. Properly done, in a scant few years, these filled-in holes would be indistinguishable
from the surrounding landscape.
In WWII the GI's got paid a pittance. But my federally funded hole digging would be subject to the generosity of the Davis-Bacon Act – paying unskilled laborers $35 an hour in wages and benefits. Talk about stimulating!
In contrast to all the other suggested Keynesian spending, these projects are extremely green, using almost no
petroleum and wasting few resources – because we would use only shovels in an effort to employ a maximum number of workers.
Unlike most such public works efforts, the administrative overhead for my colossal projects would be minimal at
most. For you see, nobody really cares when the work is completed, or even IF it is completed. Just give everyone a shovel, and outline the hole to be dug -- Equal pay for all (though not perhaps for equal work).Indeed, the project could make work participation optional, except for the fact that the ornery voters and greedy taxpayers might feel that it’s
somehow wrong to pay people for useless work not performed (go figure).
There would be no lawsuits for failed infrastructure. No concern over shoddy workmanship, or using defective components.
The usually inevitable public works cost overruns could be self-corrected by periodically adjusting how deep the hole(s)
should be.
Since the holes would be dug far from busy roads, no one would be inconvenienced by the construction projects slowing
traffic, or doubled speeding ticket fines.
We would need no eminent domain proceedings to steal other people’s property. We could simply rent cheap, useless vacant land for a couple years while each project rushed to completion, and then the owner could decide what if anything to do next with his property.
Politicians LOVE to attend ground breaking ceremonies on public works projects. At the propitious moment, together they
each dig a single petite spadeful of dirt – to great applause and frantic picture taking. They then turn the project over to the pros with their giant Caterpillar equipment. But with my project, our politicos could dig a second shovelful, and then a third. And no need to stop there. Indeed, I see this ongoing work as a new requirement for holding office. Think of it as the next aerobics fad. An ancillary benefit is that the more time politicians spend digging, the less time they’ll spend legislating – a huge cost savings for us all.
Unlike most government activities, these projects would not compete with or undercut the private sector. Indeed, I know of no
company in America offering this unique service.
Perhaps most important, after the projects were completed, there'd be zero operating and maintenance costs.
I challenge all you free market fanatics: What could POSSIBLY be wrong with this perfect solution to our economic doldrums?

And please, don't bring up Frédéric Bastiat's broken window fallacy. I reject such logic-based refutations out of hand.

Kindly send my Nobel Prize in Economics (kept the medal – just remitting the check will suffice) to my offshore account.

My proposal is a no-brainer!

Literally.

About the Writer:
Richard Rider
in
Bio ALL Boomer.Advisor.com
Richard Rider is chair of San Diego Tax Fighters and a columnist for North County Times (San Diego County, California). Phone: 858-530-3027. 10969 Red Cedar Dr., San Diego, CA 92131

This is from a member of a 912 group in Westerville, Ohio

I was in my neighborhood restaurant this morning and was seated behind a group of jubilant individuals celebrating the successful passing of the recent health care bill. I could not finish my breakfast. This is what ensued:

They were a diverse group of several races and both sexes. I heard the young man exclaim, “Isn’t Obama like Jesus Christ? I mean, after all, he is healing the sick.” The young woman enthusiastically proclaimed, “Yeah, and he does it for free. I cannot believe anyone would think that a free market would work for health care. They are all crooks and thieves and don’t deserve all of that money.” Another said, ‘The stupid Republicans want us all to starve to death so they can inherit all of the power. Obama should be made a Saint for what he did for those of us less fortunate.” At this, I had had enough.

I arose from my seat, mustering all the restraint I could find, and approached their table. “Please excuse me; may I impose upon you for one moment?” They smiled and welcomed me to the conversation. I stood at the end of their table, smiled as best I could and began an experiment.

“I would like to give one of you my house. It will cost you no money and I will pay all of the expenses and taxes for as long as you live there. Anyone interested?” They looked at each other in astonishment. “Why would you do something like that?” asked a young man, “There isn’t anything for free in this world.” They began to laugh at me, as they did not realize this man had just made my point. “I am serious, I will give you my house for free, no money what so ever. Anyone interested?” In unison, a resounding “Hell Yeah” fills the room.

“Since there are too many of you, I will have to make a choice as to who receives this money free bargain.” I noticed an elderly couple was paying attention to the spectacle unfolding before their eyes, the old man shaking his head in apparent disgust. “I tell you what; I will give it to the one of you most willing to obey my rules.” Again, they looked at one another, an expression of bewilderment on their faces. The perky young woman asked, “What are the rules?” I smiled and said, “I don’t know. I have not yet defined them. However, it is a free home that I offer you.” They giggled amongst themselves, the youngest of which said, “What an old coot. He must be crazy to give away his home. Go take your meds, old man.” I smiled and leaned into the table a bit further. “I am serious, this is a legitimate offer.” They gaped at me for a moment.

“Hell, I’ll take it you old fool. Where are the keys?” boasted the youngest among them. “Then I presume you accept ALL of my terms then?” I asked. The elderly couple seemed amused and entertained as they watched from the privacy of their table. “Oh hell yeah! Where do I sign up?” I took a napkin and wrote, “I give this man my home, without the burden of financial obligation, so long as he accepts and abides by the terms that I shall set forth upon consummation of this transaction.” I signed it and handed it to the young man who eagerly scratched out his signature. “Where are the keys to my new house?” he asked in a mocking tone of voice. All eyes were upon us as I stepped back from the table, pulling the keys from pocket and dangling them before the excited new homeowner.

“Now that we have entered into this binding contract, witnessed by all of your friends, I have decided upon the conditions you are obligated to adhere from this point forward. You may only live in the house for one hour a day. You will not use anything inside of the home. You will obey me without question or resistance. I expect complete loyalty and admiration for this gift I bestow upon you. You will accept my commands and wishes with enthusiasm, no matter the nature. Your morals and principles shall be as mine. You will vote as I do, think as I do and do it with blind faith. These are my terms. Here are your keys.” I reached the keys forward and the young man looked at me dumb founded.

“Are you out of your freaking mind? Who would ever agree to those ridiculous terms?” the young man appeared irritated. “You did when you signed this contract before reading it, understanding it and with the full knowledge that I would provide my conditions only after you committed to the agreement.” Was all I said. The elderly man chuckled as his wife tried to restrain him. I was looking at a now silenced and bewildered group of people. “You can shove that stupid deal up you’re a** old man, I want no part of it” exclaimed the now infuriated young man. “You have committed to the contract, as witnessed by all of your friends; you cannot get out of the deal unless I agree to it. I do not intend to let you free now that I have you ensnared. I am the power you agreed to. I am the one you blindly and without thought chose to enslave yourself to. In short, I am your Master.” At this, the table of celebrating individuals became a unified group against the unfairness of the deal.

After a few moments of unrepeatable comments and slurs, I revealed my true intent. “What I did to you is what this administration and congress did to you with the health care legislation. I easily suckered you in and then revealed the real cost of the bargain. Your folly was in the belief that you can have something you did not earn; that you are entitled to that which you did not earn; that you willingly allowed someone else to think for you. Your failure to research, study and inform yourself permitted reason to escape you. You have entered into a trap from which you cannot flee. Your only chance of freedom is if your new Master gives it unto you. A freedom that is given can also be taken away; therefore, it is not freedom.” With that, I tore up the napkin and placed it before the astonished young man. “This is the nature of your new health care legislation.”

I turned away to leave these few in thought and contemplation and was surprised by applause. The elderly gentleman, who was clearly entertained, shook my hand enthusiastically and said, “Thank you Sir, these kids don’t understand Liberty these days.” He refused to allow me to pay my bill as he said, “You earned this one, it is an honor to pickup the tab.” I shook his hand in thanks, leaving the restaurant somewhat humbled, and sensing a glimmer of hope for my beloved country.

Use reason, it is the closest you are going to get to Godly conduct
Clifford A. Wright

please feel free to share with others

www.gunslot.com/pictures/p...rville-ohio

................

your comments are very appreciated

foot up where?

This made my day.

www.youtube.com/watch

Alert!

Important warning to pass on to your tribe friends: If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticks due to the warm weather and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT!! THIS IS A SCAM!! They ...only want to see you naked. ... I wish I'd gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid.

Your tears will be replaced with smiles.

Follow your heart

www.youtube.com/watch

I can't help but laugh

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It's like Déjà vu all over again

Is this the right room for an argument? (classic Python)

M: (Knock)
A: Come in.
M: Ah, Is this the right room for an argument?
A: I told you once.
M: No you haven't.
A: Yes I have.
M: When?
A: Just now.
M: No you didn't.
A: Yes I did.
M: You didn't
A: I did!
M: You didn't!
A: I'm telling you I did!
M: You did not!!
A: Oh, I'm sorry, just one moment. Is this a five minute argument or the full half hour?
M: Oh, just the five minutes.
A: Ah, thank you. Anyway, I did.
M: You most certainly did not.
A: Look, let's get this thing clear; I quite definitely told you.
M: No you did not.
A: Yes I did.
M: No you didn't.
A: Yes I did.
M: No you didn't.
A: Yes I did.
M: No you didn't.
A: Yes I did.
M: You didn't.
A: Did.
M: Oh look, this isn't an argument.
A: Yes it is.
M: No it isn't. It's just contradiction.
A: No it isn't.
M: It is!
A: It is not.
M: Look, you just contradicted me.
A: I did not.
M: Oh you did!!
A: No, no, no.
M: You did just then.
A: Nonsense!
M: Oh, this is futile!
A: No it isn't.
M: I came here for a good argument.
A: No you didn't; no, you came here for an argument.
M: An argument isn't just contradiction.
A: It can be.
M: No it can't. An argument is a connected series of statements intended to establish a proposition.
A: No it isn't.
M: Yes it is! It's not just contradiction.
A: Look, if I argue with you, I must take up a contrary position.
M: Yes, but that's not just saying 'No it isn't.'
A: Yes it is!
M: No it isn't!

A: Yes it is!
M: Argument is an intellectual process. Contradiction is just the automatic gainsaying of any statement the other person makes.
(short pause)
A: No it isn't.
M: It is.
A: Not at all.
M: Now look.
A: (Rings bell) Good Morning.
M: What?
A: That's it. Good morning.
M: I was just getting interested.
A: Sorry, the five minutes is up.
M: That was never five minutes!
A: I'm afraid it was.
M: It wasn't.
Pause
A: I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to argue anymore.
M: What?!
A: If you want me to go on arguing, you'll have to pay for another five minutes.
M: Yes, but that was never five minutes, just now. Oh come on!
A: (Hums)
M: Look, this is ridiculous.
A: I'm sorry, but I'm not allowed to argue unless you've paid!
M: Oh, all right.
(pays money)
A: Thank you.
short pause
M: Well?
A: Well what?
M: That wasn't really five minutes, just now.
A: I told you, I'm not allowed to argue unless you've paid.
M: I just paid!
A: No you didn't.
M: I DID!
A: No you didn't.
M: Look, I don't want to argue about that.
A: Well, you didn't pay.
M: Aha. If I didn't pay, why are you arguing? I Got you!
A: No you haven't.
M: Yes I have. If you're arguing, I must have paid.
A: Not necessarily. I could be arguing in my spare time.
M: Oh I've had enough of this.
A: No you haven't.
M: Oh Shut up.

From an Australian Friend: What is the truest definition of Globalization ?

Question : What is the truest definition of Globalization ?

Answer : Princess Diana’s death .

Question : How come ?

Answer :An English princess with an
Egyptian boyfriend crashes in a
French tunnel, driving a
German car with a
Dutch engine, driven by a
Belgian who was drunk on
Scottish whiskey: followed closely by
Italian Paparazzi's in
Japanese motorcycles; treated by an
American doctor, using
Brazilian medicines.
And moreover this is sent to you by a
Australian,using American
(Bill Gates’s) technology, and you’re probably reading this on your computer, that use
Taiwanese chips, and a
Korean monitor, assembled by
Bangladeshi workers in a
Singapore plant, transported by
Pakistan lorry-drivers, hijacked by
Indians, unloaded by
Sicilian longshoremen, and trucked to you by
Mexican illegals….. That, my friend, is
"" Globalization ""