A recent conversation I had with a friend in India.
Friend (F): So what do you think of Barack Obama?
Me (M): I don't like him. He is ruining what was left after traumatic George W. Bush (GWB) rule.
F: But why? He is rebuilding USA that was destroyed by GWB.
M: Rebuilding? No he is destroying what was left by GWB.
F: But he is fixing USA's economy. How can you say he is bad?
M: Is he really FIXING the economy? Is he really? Tell me one substantial thing that you can point out he has done for nation's good.
F: But he is saying he is going to create so many jobs and stop this job loss.
M: No you did not answer the question. I asked you to tell me what he has DONE not what he has said.
F: umm, umm, umm, He is trying to fix the banks.
M: Is he really? What did he do to fix the banks?
F: He gave all this money to the banks?
M: And where did he get the money from?
F: umm, umm, umm, I think it is government's money.
M: But the government does not have money. The money the government has is people's taxes. That means he is doling out us taxpayer's money to the banks.
F: But how else can the banks fix their balance sheets? How else can they be back in the business?
M: Let them file for bankruptcy, reorganize, cut the unnecessary costs, cut the flab. If you just give them the money, what incentive do they have to take harsh actions to fix the problems that got them here in the first place?
F: Now that is cruel. What will happen to all those who work for Citibank? They will lose their jobs.
M: So what? Why should I pay to keep someone else's job. I am paying taxes so I get better infrastructure, better security and better civic services. I do not pay taxes so that someone's job at Citi or AGI is saved.
F: But why are you so harsh? Why do you only think about yourself?
M: Why shouldn't I? It is my hard earned money. I don't earn money to donate it to the government. I have every right to demand what the government did with my money.
F: But he is giving out the money to the banks and the auto companies so they don't crash. Otherwise they will crash and create more problems.
M: Really? He gave nearly 60 billions to Chrysler and GM few months ago. The reason given to us was that if we did not do that both will have to file for bankruptcy and that will be a catastrophe. Now, in last 1 month, they both filed for bankruptcy. What happened? That means our 60 billion dollars went down the drains. What is so great about it?
F: But umm umm umm, you are being too harsh on him. GWB created these problems and you are blaming him for them.
M: No, I am not blaming him for problems created by GWB. I am blaming him for his own decisions to dole out almost a trillion dollars of taxpayer's money to these organizations who screwed it all up to begin with.
F: But you are not being fair. Why should Ford be in a good shape and GM not? It is unfair to GM.
M: Let me ask you a question. How many medals did Indian swimmers win at Olympics last year?
F: None, why?
M: How many did Michael Phelps win?
F: Many, I don't know exactly how many.
M: Don't you think it is unfair that Phelps has so many medals and Indian swimmers have none?
F: No, but why? Phelps worked his tail off to win this. Us Indians did not work even half as much.
M: Exactly my point. Ford worked its tail off in last 3 year to fix itself. GM did not do even half as much.
F: umm, umm, umm, umm
M: Well... Obama is no God. He is a politician. He is no better or worse than GWB. His main motive is to retain the power and expand democratic party's base, public be damned.
