David's Question

David approached the microphone as he had been coached. He had never spoken into a microphone, but was excited to give it a try. He brought his lips to within inches of the wire mesh and spoke the words he had rehearsed so carefully: "Mr. Congressman, what are you going to do to help victims of the sub prime mortgage crisis and foreclosure?" He turned and looked at his parents who smiled and placed their hands on his shoulder. He had delivered the question beautifully.

The congressman responded.

Little man, we in Washington are doing everything we can to help the victims of this financial crisis, including the bank executives and shareholders. We have stolen from your parents to ensure their businesses continue to be profitable. Indeed, their enormous debts have already been forgiven. We won't let them fail.

Now, let me explain...stealing is very wrong for children like you. But, congressmen are special. They have the power to steal so long as the public doesn't notice.

But we don't have any money. Our family is broke.

Yes of course, but your mother, father, friends, family, and neighbors all work very hard to earn a living. This is good, because I will need a portion of those earnings to pay back the very large loan I have borrowed from the US Treasury on your behalf. I have really stolen out of their future pockets, and done it before the money actually reached their pockets.

Loan?

Yes. Rather than physically intercepting the money that would otherwise go into your parents' pockets, I printed that money. The rich folks need that money right now. In the future your parents won't even notice they are paying back the loan. They will be making the same amount of money, but that money will buy less things. It's very complicated and I don't expect you or your parents to ever understand. That is why it is possible for us to do this while taking away people's homes. You see, the rich folks lost much more than your parents did, so they really need that back, even if it means stealing it. If you become a congressman, maybe one day you can steal from innocent, hard-working families too. This also keeps them from saving. Saving is very bad for the rich folks, and therefore bad for our country.

Oh, okay. Thank you Mr. Congressman. But, in school, we learned that you are supposed to represent some people. I thought we were those people.

Oh, no, I'm sorry David. I represent the people who contribute to my campaign, and they need to make their money somehow. You see, if you don't notice these guys are stealing from you, then I say it's fine as long as I get a cut. So, here's how it works: They steal from you, they pay me, I pay them back. Then, you continue to pay for decades, and even generations into the future.

That doesn't sound fair.

Of course it's not fair, but at least I'm honest.

Thank you, I think.

Your very welcome, next question.