Fwd: final comment on the mortgage crisis
[Bob Wrubel, who had to sign off for a bit because of personal
issues, sent this along.\
Begin forwarded message:
Doug, This comment by GBS on the mortgage crisis comes from Fabius
Maximus, a writer on Defense In the National Interest. Give him a
hat-tip if you use it.Bob
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(George Bernard Shaw said it earlier and better. The following is
from Major Barbara. “Undershaft” and “Lazarus” are co-owners of a
great arms mfg.)UNDERSHAFT: The government of your country! I am the government of your
country: I, and Lazarus. Do you suppose that you and half a dozen amateurs like you, sitting
in a row in that foolish gabble shop {Parliament}, can govern
Undershaft and Lazarus? No, my friend: you will do what pays US. You will make war when it suits us, and keep peace when it doesn’t. You will find out that trade requires certain measures when we have
decided on those measures. When I want anything to keep my dividends up, you will discover
that my want is a national need. When other people want something to keep my dividends down, you
will call out the police and military. And in return you shall have the support and applause of my
newspapers, and the delight of imagining that you are a great
statesman. Government of your country! Be off with you, my boy, and play with
your caucuses and leading articles and historic parties and great
leaders and burning questions and the rest of your toys. I am
going back to my counting house to pay the piper and call the tune.