Put out economic fire

When I hear the critics of government spending in this time of economic crisis, I think of a house engulfed in flames and someone trying to grab the hose out of the hands of the firefighters because of a potential water shortage.

Yes, the water shortage may be a real concern, but let’s put out the fire first. We can deal with the water shortage when the bigger threat is contained.

Rebecca Brock
Kansas City, Kan.

Comments

[NoMoreMrNiceGuy]

You can't make some that is homeless not be homeless if they choose to be where they are. Some people are fine with their situation. Increased taxes for already failing social programs is a waste. We need to have a flat tax system so everyone pays the equal and fair share rather than the upper 50% paying for the lower 50%.
The economic "fire' will never be put out so long as Americans continue to be mathematically incompetent and government continues to advocate spending money that is does not exist. Hardly do i feel a bit sorry for someone living in a $300k house that all of a sudden can not pay their mortgage. Live in less house. Stop burying yourselves in credit debt.

[chalveyob]

Joe Six Pack: I guess that idiotic name is supposed to imply you represent the common man. I hope you don't, because the idea that an idiot like you represents the common man is insulting. Thank you for showing you 3rd grade ecucation by claiming increased taxes go to the homeless, how stupid are you? I suggest you take an economic class and realize taxing the wealthy slows down the economy, and increased government spending does not stimulate the economy. I defy you or any of your ignorant counterparts to cite an example where raising taxes and increased government spending has worked, just one!

[Kee]

Well Rebecca your analogy breaks down, we are not putting "water" on the fire, the policies coming out from Obama throw "gasoline" on it. 3.5 trillion in debt, higher taxes, and runawary inflation coming.....I hope China can still write the check.....

[Stifled Freedom]

An "economic fire" is a difficult thing to define.

[whispering_to_kc]

This is a better analogy to the current banking crisis ...

"When a fireman sees a house on fire, he sounds an alarm, dons his turnout gear, bravely rescues the occupants and puts out the fire."

"When an investment banker sees a house on fire, he quietly sells the burning house short, uses the proceeds to buy a larger house for himself and, when someone suggests that his taxes be raised to help the homeless, he rails against the dangers of socialism."

http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2009/03/fire-2/#comments

[Marctnts]

That has to be one of the dumbest analogies I've ever heard. Shouldn't the Star have some sort of common-sense police to review these things first?