Tuesday, August 25, 2009

And now, Cash for Refrigerators

A few days ago I posted on the Cash for Clunkers scheme that is just closing in the US (Click here). In the post, I jokingly asked the question – “Why not cash for clunkers for TVs, washing machines, dishwashers, or for that matter, kidney machines”.

It turns out that this wasn’t a joke. Or else somebody in the US administration is reading my blog (Ha Ha). There is such a scheme coming – Cash for refrigerators. Usual rubbish being given on improving energy saving. Cost ? Some $300 m.

It IS becoming a joke. What next ? For some prosaic speculation, click here.

Where will this all end ? The wallet is empty. You are borrowing from your children. And then recklessly spending like this . When the history of our generation is written, it shall be said of us – that was the most irresponsible, reckless generation in all of human history; a generation that committed the unpardonable sin of bankrupting its children before they were born.

The United States Constitution is the one of the most durable of them all. It shall have been in existence for 222 years in a few days. In all those years, it has been amended only 27 times, of which the first 10 were the Bill of Rights. I propose a 28th amendment to the US constitution – “Thou shall not spend what you have not earned”.

India’s Karunanidhi, who doles out free colour TVs as a sop to get votes, is in elite company !