On my silence re: the current, possibly, not-so-critical financial sector situation
September 30, 2008
A little Learning is a dang’rous Thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring:
There shallow Draughts intoxicate the Brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again. (Pope, Alexander. An Essay On Criticism)
Hush, I tell myself. I do not know all the intricacies of the economic times. I do know that I still have a job. I work for a medical supply retailer, and sales are actually up. I still get offers from credit card companies even though I’m not interested.
I have my principles. I have my gut feeling about the bailout bill in all its forms, but I don’t think I can give an informed opinion on why it should or shouldn’t pass. Willful ignorance may seem like an answer, because I know, either way, I am a willing participant in this economy. I do know that things might not be as bad as they are. If Congress can afford to take a break, we shouldn’t I?
I like reading about the opinions out there, though. Misinformed, ill-informed, insufficiently-informed, the current situation has brought out such character in so many writers. Jeff Goldstein’s Who’s Right? cites a very Conservative viewpoint and another column from one who seems to have lost his mind. But, what’s a cog to do? Stay happy, spend wisely, and keep soldiering on.
I think that is very sensible really. But for real you should cancel your cable.
Happyfeet: if I were in charge of paying the cable bill I would probably entertain the possibility, but considering the household setup we have at home, it would make sense to shave money elsewhere.
I think the problem with that Chicken Little in the second citation is that if enough people refuse to spend enough, that collective refusal to cog along can be worse for the economy in general. It’s like balance, but this time, it’s a tightrope.