Where Do They Get It?

When the lords of the earth roll out all this money that they are going to be distributing to us with loud whoops, there are only three basic ways for them to get it. Because, of course, before they give it to you, or to Citicorp, or to GM, or whoever, they must first obtain it somehow. I know, this is kind of “out there” economics, but work with me for a minute. In order to give it, they must first get it. How can the government get this money? They can take it from other countries, which is called war. They can take it from their own citizens, which is called taxes. Or they can print up a bunch of it, which inflates the currency, which is called, at least in my head, sneaky and reptilian taxes.

You can read the rest of Doug Wilson’s comments on the coming $7 trillion bailouts here.

Armchairs

Lady Malvern was a hearty, happy, healthy, overpowering sort of dashed female, not so very tall but making up for it by measuring about six feet from the O.P. to the Prompt Side.  She fitted into my biggest armchair as if it had been built round her by someone who knew they were wearing armchairs tight about the hips that season. — P. G. Wodehouse, “Jeeves and the Unbidden Guest,” Carry On, Jeeves.

In case the end of the first sentence stumps you, as it did me, let me pass on the results of my quick research: “the O.P.” and “the Prompt Side” are terms drawn from the theater, the Prompt Side being stage left, where the prompter stands, and the O.P. (Opposite Prompt) being stage right.  So Bertie Wooster, the narrator, is saying that Lady Malvern appeared to be six feet from side to side.

But it’s the second sentence that made me laugh out loud.