Perhaps a bit too stimulated

The government should not be in charge of the economy. The government is super-insecure and desperate to be liked, as anyone would be if his or her popularity got put to a public vote every few years. So when the government senses you might blame it for something -- such as the fact that you spent $1 million on a three-bedroom house, and now you owe a ridiculous $1 million for a lousy three-bedroom house -- it panics like a grandparent and sends you a small check in the mail. It calls this "fiscal stimulus"; my grandma called it, oddly, "gambling money." Same idea. They both want a kiss.

Joel Stein

February 1, 2008