Thursday, July 26, 2012

Gamboling, Gambling and Ludomania

Part of the ludicrous political process in the nation is the traveling of candidates to areas to give focused or symbolic speeches, kiss local babies and move on. Obama's recent "bus tour" had a theme: "Betting on America." This was reminiscent of his demand last year for businesses to "step up" and "bet on America."

"Betting" is actually not the job of business or investors--or government. In fact, "betting" and taking goofy risks are part of the reason we are in this trouble. A balance sheet is unforgiving and there is no part of it that states "bets".

Words can be indicative, sort of a short-hand "thought content." It is no accident that "blitz," "attack," "trenches," "bomb," "formation," "gunner," and the more recent "red zone" are applied so easily to football. So it is unsettling to see gambling terms emerging in politics. 

Perhaps this is just political drivel but it is disconcerting to those few of us who are paying attention. But, as in all of politics, if it is useful the politician will just double down.

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