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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Three Stooges Explain the Bank Bail-Out
- Remember, it all started with a 'credit crunch'. The banks had stopped lending to each other. -
(anybody recall this skit by The Stooges?)
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Moe has $5
Larry has $0
Curly has $0
Total Assets: $5
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Moe owes Larry $10 dollars
Larry owes Curly $10 dollars
Curly owes Moe $10 dollars
Total Debt: $30
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So, The Stooges decide to lend to each other.
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Moe to Larry: Here's five ... I'll owe you five
Larry to Curly: Here's five ... I'll owe you five
Curly to Moe: Here's five ... I'll owe you five
Moe to Larry: Here's that five I owe you
Larry to Curly: Here's that five I owe you
Curly to Moe: Here's that five I owe you.
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The total $30 indebtedness has been satisfied with $5
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But suppose that Moe, Larry and Curly in an inspired gambit, pretend to stop lending to each other and call for the Feds for a bailout to prevent a financial disaster?
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The Feds ante up, giving each of our heroes $10 to cover their 'toxic assets'
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Now the Stooges can lend to each other again. Yuk, Yuk.
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Next: Harry Houdini's analysis of 'Son of Boss'
geckosfeet
(9,644 posts)truedelphi
(32,324 posts)You and the people of Iceland understand this about the Big Banks and lending.
Oh, and apparently the Three Stooges.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)- K&R