We're so far in debt, it all doesn't matter

My uncle's wife, Laura, greeted him when he came home from work the other day.

"You will not believe what Billy did, Sam," Laura said. "You know that new car, motorcycle, stereo equipment and flat-screen TV that Billy bought recently? Well, he afforded it all on his gambling. To make it worse, he lost it all today in a poker game, and they are coming to take his car and everything else in an hour."

"Well," said Sam. "Here is what we are going to do. I am going to buy the car, motorcycle and entertainment stuff back from Billy's fellow gamblers. Maybe I can sell it later, or maybe not. Laura, that Hawaiian vacation money you had saved, give it to Billy. And, that college savings account for little Mary, give it to Billy. And the new car we just bought, give it to Billy. Let's see, oh, and how about the pacifier that the baby has. Give it to Billy. There. Everything will be all right, now that we have bailed out Billy.

"Sam," said Laura. "Stop behaving like the federal government. This is serious."

"It is OK, dear," replied Sam. "We are already so far in debt, that it will not make any difference."

Gene Tenner

Lisle