The Big Bet

Let’s say you were a little low on funds. Maybe you lost your job, or if you are a government employee and don’t understand that concept, had a slight cutback in your overtime pay and can’t pay the cable TV bill on time or some other similar hardship has befallen you so that it seems like the really big depression is here. So, let’s say you are considering the alternatives. They might include cutting back on expenses, using up some of your rainy day fund or cutting lawns and delivering newspapers (or writing a blog because that pays real well) until you can get back on your feet. Sound like reasonable alternatives? Sure. But wait. Along comes a fellow with a shiny suit and slicked back hair and a big smile and he says, “No way, Jose. You don’t need to subject yourself to such drastic deprivations. Not in the US of A at least. Here’s what we are going to do.”

And this fellow lays out a very simple plan. He pulls out a credit card with a picture of Uncle Sam on it. The same Uncle whose image was on bond drive posters in WW II. The same Uncle who exclaimed his need for YOU to help out in the past during tough times. And the fellow says take this credit card down to the race track. Use it to make some bets. Just make sure that the horses you choose have names that include or sound like Stimulus, Bailout, Saving Jobs or, even better, Creating Jobs. See if there is a pony or two called Banking System, Investment in the Future or Building for the Future and maybe Looking out for You or Best Times to Come. Other favorites would be Green Jobs, Energy Independence and Corn Pone Fuel. And, he says, “If you are really fortunate, bet on a horse called Reducing Health Care Costs. It’s a sure winner.” He says you can bet up to $11,000.00 on this credit card but then he says, “Do you have a wife? Any Kids?” And you say, “Sure do. I got one of those and two of them.” So, he hands you three more cards and says, “What are you waiting for? You get four cards, each with $11,000.00. Get on down to the track.” Let it roll.

But you are now wondering just what the heck is going on. Where is this money coming from? Who’s going to pay for this? Is this a setup? Are the cops just around the corner? Somebody should blow the whistle on this guy. And you have this skeptical look on your face that suggests that just maybe something a little bit goofy is going on. And the fellow detects this concern because this fellow is rather smart and good with the words. And he says, “Look. I got all these references. I got references from Harvard University and Columbia University and the entire state of California is behind me and one of the biggest corporations in the world is with me so what’s with you questioning me?” Yeah, who am I to question the guy?

Take the cards. Bet on the nags. What’s to lose? Ain’t no horse running named “Too Good to be True.”