Today I would like to start a tradition. We will see how this tradition fares for as anyone who has read this blog over the years know my "traditions" have pretty short shelve lives. Anyway I digress, I would like to start a tradition of giving the ILLOGICAL AWARD of the WEEK out to those in the world who are truly striving to make a difference in the way we perceive reality. That's right this award will be given to those masterful trapeze artist of reasoning that not only defy the rules of gravity but also the rules of human logic.

Fortunately we have an esteemed pop culture icon who has agreed to be awarding these esteemed "thinkers" every week, everyone give a big round of applause to Mr. Spock-

Mr. Spock- It's a pleasure to be here Wes.
Wes- Glad to have you on the show. Now Mr. Spock who is the lucky winner of this weeks ILLOGICAL AWARD of the WEEK?
Mr. Spock- Wes our lucky winner of this weeks award goes to....the GOP.
Wes- The GOP! Well congratulations Party of Lincoln! Mr. Spock what did they do win the award?
Mr. Spock- Wes as you well know after Senator Arlen Spector changed political parties last week there was much outcry from the GOP.
Wes-That seems logical. Why wouldn't they be upset?
Mr. Spock-If the GOP had wanted Senator Spector to retain his seat I would agree that they now would be acting in a logical manner, but the GOP for years has criticized Senator Spector for what they perceive to be "liberal" views. Therefore in this upcoming election they decided to run another candidate in the primary knowing that the Senator would lose his seat. They believed, it seems, that Senator Spectator would remain loyal to an establishment that had ceased to remain loyal to him. This is highly illogical.
Wes- I see your point. But what about critics who say that Spector is no longer in touch with the party? Don't the Republicans have the right to say "hey your not a conservative get out"?
Mr. Spock- They have every right to do this but if they wish to remove Spector from power and the party they should not be upset when he voluntarily leaves. That is illogical.
Wes-But now the Democrats have more power and the GOP is justified in being angry at that?
Mr. Spock- Wes, Spector had frequently went against the GOP and he will frequently go against the Democrats. He is his own man and no matter who he affiliates with that will not change. Also Spector defecting angers the Republicans mostly because it "looks bad". This is merely an attempt to keep appearances up, again highly illogical.
Wes- Well you heard it hear folks. Spock has spoken-

 
Growing up I never really understood the fascination or enjoyment of playing Monopoly. As a matter of fact I did and still do refer to the game as Monotony. For those who are unfamiliar with the board game the object of play is to accumulate the best and most property and then charge the other players on the board until they are driven into bankruptcy.

For anyone who has ever played the game it is basic knowledge that the set up and underlying philosophy is no way to build a healthy or viable community. As a matter of fact it is no way to even run a healthy economy. Adam Smith, the founder of capitalism, had many things to say about markets but one of the underlying themes was that the state, or some entity, needed to regulate the markets so monopolies would not be created. This had to be done, Smith reasoned, because the only way people could compete and bring vitality to the market and society was by guaranteeing that one entity did not become too strong.

In honor of the game that celebrates universal greed I have the below post, a post that explains the current economic crisis in a way that two to six players ranging from ages ten on up can understand. Hope you all enjoy.

What occurred was financial institutions were permitted to become ungodly large, in short property owners fixated on Boardwalk. Now as long as the sun was shining all was fine, but when institutions began to fail for various reasons the Mr. Monopolies of the world began panicking over loss to their financial empires.
One by one the financial giants and captains of industry came to Washington asking for money and threatening wreckage to the entire economy if that money was not given. Washington agreed and the institutions were kept afloat.

No strings attached. No promises made. Just blank checks to the hotels of Marvin Gardens and Park Place.
Very little screaming about socialism. No protest. Just capital.
Then came the actual people who lived on the board, the people who worked in the hotels, the people who built the houses, the people who kept everyone moving around the board. They for eight years had been abused by the utilities company (in Monopoly its Railroads and Water Works, in real life it was gas pumps) they needed money as well because they didn't have Get Out of Free Jail Cards.

SOCIALISM! SOCIALISM! SOCIALISM! The cry could be heard from Baltic Avenue to the Community Chest. Why? Simple.
The Banks, the Mr. Monopolies, had come during an election year, no one was going to protest then, good ol' Sarah and John needed peoples votes. Didn't you hear? The Muslim from Oriental Avenue might have a shot at moving to Pennsylvanian Avenue. Can't have that. No sir.

But he did win, and when he did the populist was sure to turn out and protest...well the populist getting money for infrastructure. Cue Mr. Monopoly taking a deep bow for dodging a mighty blow.


Cynical? Yes. But alas that is the way we roll on this board game. And to be perfectly honest if the right polices don't make it to Free Parking first, then billions in tax dollars will have gone to the few, the proud, the Monopolies. Yet if we can just roll doubles I know that we can regulate the markets and have a financial system were all prosper.

Recently President Obama forced the CEO of GM to step aside. SOCIALISM! The cry ran out.  Yes the same people who cried that the Mr. Monopolies should be held accountable. Apparently, holding the wreckers accountable meant just yelling it so there was something to shot into a bull horn.

Helping infrastructure? Yeah it was important when we were wasting money over in Candy Land, but when the new President made indication that we would start doing it then that became a problem. Again what would fill the bull horns?

In closing I offer this advice, advice from a simple thimble that is trying to make its way around the board of life and help its fellow shoes, top hats, and outdated cars.

Stop! Take a look in the mirror. We have tried the ways of Monopoly and it didn't work too well. Let the country try something new. Give the new government a chance. Stop freaking out every time he is polite to Colonel Mustard, and Mr. Green. For crying out loud, how should we act? Like blustering despots that don't care about respecting other heads of state? Ladies and gentlemen that is Risk, try to stay in at least one game at a time.

I have rolled now dear reader, the dice now is in your hand. Lets move forward together.