Confucius Confounded

"Give a man a fish, he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will eat for a lifetime."
-Confucius c. 500 B.C.

Today's truths that spring from this quote.


Most Americans are competent fishermen.

The U.S. government is in the fish re-distribution business.

It's not very good at it.

It really doesn't like it when you point that out.

The government has no idea how to fish, has no desire to learn, so it takes fish from you.

If you protest you're selfish and greedy.

If you forcibly resist they'll take all of your fish, your boat, your fishing pole, your freedom, and possibly your life.

Which leads us to...

"He who controls the fish, controls the people dependent on the fish. "
-Brick 2009


The recurring flaw of all Leftist ruling ideology (which the Obama Odministration will quickly come to realize) is that they always forget that the government doesn't actually catch the fish it redistributes. It takes and redistributes fish already caught. As fishermen decline because of increased regulation or lack of suitable profit because of overtaxation; naturally the total take of fish from which the government can confiscate and redistribute is also reduced.

The Leftist solution to this inevitable problem? Simple. Demand more fish from the dwindling pool of remaining fishermen. See where this is going?

Look at any Communist country. The "Haves" have because they're in charge of the precious few fish that the party can still confiscate. Notice, they're not divvying them out to the rabble. In all Communist countries there's always a huge economic divide between the ruling class and the people.

The "Have Nots" in Communist countries, have not precisely because there isn't enough fish for their party to confiscate re-distribute to them. Which for the average Joe-ski's means shortages, rationing, and much misery. Ah, yes the die-hards will point out, "But they are ALL equally miserable, Comrade!"

This is O's grand plan. (Transitioning now from fish to mustard.) Remember the "spread the wealth" quip he shot at Joe the Plumber? When the mustard jar is full, it's EASY to spread "enough" mustard on a piece of bread to make a good sandwich. The whole slice is adequately covered with an acceptable layer of mustard. If however, there's only enough mustard to cover the point of a knife (like if the mustard markets contract by more than 1/2 and the mustard makers aren't filling mustard jars completely desperately holding some in reserve, waiting for a mustard "bounce") spreading the wealth doesn't have the same effect. Only a tiny portion of that slice of bread will even see a hint of mustard. So it goes with fish, mustard, bailout money, and the little people in Communist countries.

The remaining fundamental question is....
Whose interest is really being served by a government that prioritizes giving people fish over teaching people to fish?

Economy at Bernie's

In the late 80's there was a light comedy released called Weekend at Bernie's. The premise was a bit silly, but in retrospect very analagous to the goings on of Fedgov today and their frantic but futile "stimulus" machinations they're ramming down our throats and wallets.

A synopsis of the movie can be found here.

Our economy is represented by Bernie, who just happens to be dead. The two guys who do some very strange and humorous things trying to convince everyone else that Bernie is still alive because their very survival is dependent on maintaining that illusion, represent the current "Powers that Be." These PTB's would include members of Congress, and the banking sector among others that have more than a vested interest to keep the music playing. As long as they can continue to pull off the farce that Bernie's still a-ok, much targeted unpleasantness and heartburn is avoided.

What the movie does not address however is something that more Americans every day come to realize is this: Bernie really is dead and regardless of how cleverly he may be propped up and made to do things making him appear alive by his skillful puppeteers, not only is he dead...but he's beginning to emit a foul odor that belies his otherwise carefully managed appearance.

If you get the chance, and you haven't already give Weekend at Bernie's a look see. It'll bring a few smiles as long as you don't think of the parallel economic symbolism. :)