Atlas Shrugged: The Mocking

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Helping The Helpless

Shorter Megan McArdle: Please, won't you think of the rich people? When you tickle them do they not laugh? When you prick them do they not bleed?


Ode To The Rich, by A Lady Econoblogger

We might never know the bequest motive
Of rich men's thoughts and rich men's dreams,
If they doth grow their golden garden
To give life's succor to their suffering child,
Or if they merely love its glittering sheen.

Philosophers might debate the arrogance
Of entitled claims on noblesse oblige
But listen not to the common men's envy
Their voices raised in anger shrill, who
Desire to take what they refuse to earn.

Little do they know of labors that weigh down
The rich man's dreams. While the common man
Goes bowling or watches wrestling on tv screens,
Labors on the savvy rich man, giving up his
Precious leisure to pass on wisdom he has gained.

Oh ye critics! Men of letters, who dare to sneer
At Others who bear the world's weary weight.
Filled with envy of the honest rich man's due rewards,
Would angrily deny any else the pleasures labor brings.
Will Porsche survive when Atlas shrugs and only Brad DeLong is left?

7 comments:

tadcf said...

Important Announcement: We Need You:

Many people question what Obama has done, consider these accomplishments:
Decreased the national debt by 8% .
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/04/13/politics/washingtonpost/main6391441.shtml
In addition to stabilizing the Dow at above 10,000.

Though 80% are protected by private health insurance or medicare, the health care
insurance program was created to help protect the rest.

The challenge to solving the unemployment problem is not just creating industries that will
out-source jobs overseas, but to create industries that won't. The old way just doesn't work any more. Do you really think the Republicans are that innovative?

Obama's administration reformed the rules of the Wall Street financial industries. It's not
enough—I agree—but at least the Congress got something positive accomplished amidst
Republican objections. To view a list of 100 of Obama accomplishments, see:
http://simplifythepositive.blogspot.com/2010/03/100-accomplishments-of-president-barack.html


What would Republicans do if they got into office:

Republicans support reinstating Bush tax cut for millionaires and billionaires, which would
deny the government $700 billion—sorely needed to combat the deficit the Republicans left us.
htttp://news.yahoo.com/s/ynews_excl/20100913/pl_ynews_excl/ynews_excl_pl3604
Republicans say it will be reinvested in the economy. But will it? It didn't happen last time. What a gamble, based on a theory. I say 'a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush'--no pun intended.

Some of the most radical Republicans have seemed to suggest 'gun play' if they lose; or
suggest ending social programs—like medicare and social security—because they're too expensive, while profiting from these very programs all these years; or that science is creating mice with fully developed human brains. And now some anti-abortionists are even suggesting citizenship for zygotes. Do we really want persons like this representing the American people?.

How will they improve the economy? All they do is complain about 'tax and spend'
Democrats. What's their plan? The new plan is just the old plan. While the conservatives were in power, during the past 10 years, America's middle class income has been reduced by 5%!
http://www.menafn.com/qn_news_story.asp?storyid={01647C10-C1BB-11DF-BA89-00212804637C}

Many Conservatives have exhibited intolerance—similar to the KKK—currently directed
toward the Muslims and LGBT's, and sounds like they would limit freedom. This attitude is suggested by statements of 'Birthers', and a wealth of pictures depicting President Obama as a witch doctor or pimp or Hitler. Do you really want these kind of sentiments having an influence on our government? Changing the economy is not an easy job—ask Ronald Reagan. He had unemployment of about 9.8% for two years—and that was a mild recession compared to this near depression.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/pop-quiz-under-reagan-wha_b_341348.html

And Tea Party candidates are just going to be co-oped into the Republican Party. A vote for
them is just as good as a vote for the Republicans. It's them or us!

Dismantling or privatizing social security, medicare, and veteran's health care—how well
would that have worked, for example, when the bottom fell out of the stock market a couple of years
ago? We've all got a stake in this dog and pony show! Apathy is not allowed.

If you agree with what I've said here, go out and vote for the Democratic candidate in November, so we don't throw this country back into the Dark Ages.

Susan of Texas said...

I give it a B+.

The only problem with running on the record is that these are very bad times, and no matter how good the record is, the times are still bad. The only way to win this election is to run on a platform of morality and reform. Which you can only do if you are actually reforming something, morally. Which isn't happening.

Susan of Texas said...

Also, no love for the poem? It was really hard to write. Damn liberal spammers.

Downpuppy said...

Sorry, Susan. Matched with an aged wife, I mete and dole, unequal laws unto a savage race, which has been bloody time consuming lately.

Susan of Texas said...

Heh, I've been so tired of McArdle lately that I had to do something a little different and challenging. How many ways can you say that she's a lying hack who uses rhetorical manipulations that an intelligent child could see through?

Kathy said...

tadcf: Many people question what Obama has done.... Well, I DO question his not repealing DADT and his expansion of Bush espionage/anti constitutional powers. But most people are "questioning" what Obama has NOT done. No jobs, Offshoring still going on, Wall Street Bailout while people loose their homes to criminals... and much more.



It's a great poem, susan. A real poem. I was just jealous because I wrote a "poem" (well, it rhymes) about Trolls at Digby's. They didn't like it, claiming they're not trolls, just have a different opinion. But really! Show up at a blog and excoriate the Blogger for not writing their brilliant opinions. On and on, page after page. Why don't they post at Huffington?

Susan of Texas said...

Heh, I didn't mean to fish for compliments but I appreciate them very much. KWillow, that's very true; it's not just what someone does, it's what they don't do as well.