Economic Theory Buffs Pillows

Berlusconi and Italy

'Say, didn't you used to be a 'free markets' pundit?'

"This is not permanent...we'll be back as soon as things start to look up."

'Please remember that these figures could be off as much as two dollars.'

'And remember to emphasize we're giving them the opportunity to find a better job.'

'The prevailing wisdom is that markets are always right. I think that luck is always right.'

"Gentlemen, we're missing a great opportunity by not hitching this company to the current tailspin."

"At $4 a dozen, it's hard to balance a career and a family."

'He took from the rich and gave to the poor? It sounds like wealth redistribution.'

'It's okay. We'll just push our retirement plan back a bit.'

'It's good to be here. We're having economic problems where we come from.'

U.S. Foreign Policy

"I'm as progressive as they come, except for my money. No one touches my money."

Coming Soon! More Stuff You Could Live Without!

Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and David Cameron are ecstatic about the possibility of a free trade agreement between the U.S. and the European Union.

US dollar perched on fragile house of cards.

"Sure, money may be imaginary - but at least it's got everybody imagining it."

Republicans and Democrats debate while the US economy drowns.

"Okay... how about some people are poverty rich but asset poor?"

An Everyday Explanation of the Federal Budget.

'Mixed day on Wall Street. Economic indicators were up, but executive bonuses were down.'

'So, a bailout is like a Ponzi scheme for automakers?'

'Bad news on Wall Street. The entire stock market has been downgraded to a 'junk' classification.'

"Efficiency savings...protect front line services BLAH! BLAH! refocus on core objectives BLAH BLAH!"

'Yes, we have a very diversified economy around here.'

Recession

'How can they call it a shared sacrifice in this bad economy...when your pay cut was 10% and mine, 25%?!'

We pay the maximum minimum wage.

Bad news, boss. The rat race is out of cheese!

'Profit in the garbage.'

"Why have you doubled the price of oatmeal?"

'Good news! I think we can make your portfolio quite bearable.'

"Since when did economists become sociologists?!"