Sensible Sally Webseries

Episode 3: Monopoly Money

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Tuesday
26Jan2010

Is the U.S Dollar becoming Monopoly Money?

DeficitAid.com

Washington politicians are spending money as if it’s like Monopoly Money. This practice has gone on for years through many administrations but the rise in deficit spending has escalated fiscal recklessness.  The causes of Washington spending are complex, but a growing trend seems to be the psychological disconnection to the consequences of massive debt.

In a light-hearted approach, we illustrate this trend in the new episode of Sensible Sally titled Monopoly Money on DeficitAid.com. 

The idea for the episode came as a result from reading reports about Nancy Pelosi’s purported demand for use of a 757 Jumbo Jet for her trips to San Francisco.  I don’t know if the reports are correct or just viral rumors, but the story does reflect public sentiment regarding congressional spending. 

Their spending has gone from being irresponsible to valueless.  Giving the Speaker-of-the-House a jumbo jet to fly home pales in comparison to the $1 million dollars per every 10 seconds in interest on the $13 trillion dollar National Debt.  A debt that increases $1 million dollars every 10 seconds has to have a psychological affect on those controlling the purse strings. 

If spending $60K for the round-trip costs to San Francisco on 757 jet represents a grain-of-sand, then Washington’s spending each year would fill a large desert.  Forget about spending $60K, in this environment of massive spending, a million dollars is like pocket change or worse monopoly money.  

The term “monopoly money” has been used over the years with some sarcasm.  When betting with Monopoly money, you don’t have skin-in-the- game.   You don’t care if you loose it.  I think the congress is spending tax- payers dollars with the same lack of “skin-in-the-game” attitude.    

The CBO projects 2010’s deficit to be $1.3 trillion dollars.  This will increase the National Debt to $15 trillion dollars.  If you could layout $15 trillion in pennies, the area would probably be larger than the Sahara desert or cover all the oceans of the world.   I don’t know if there is even $15 trillion in money if adding up all the money in all the banks in the entire world.

So what’s the solution to getting congress to stop spending the dollar like it is Monopoly Money.?

I think it’s simply changing their psychology. Getting them to have a sense of risk associated to deficit spending.  Start by cutting the small bills to create a sense of saving money rather than spending.  Change the attitude from giving more to an attitude of working with less.    

Deficit spending and our rising national debt is serious and complicated, but poking a little fun at Washington is a great way to get people educated on the subject. That’s the point for us.   

We create what is call “social media” content to inform and spark debt on government spending and rising national debt.   You can help with our efforts by recommending our content to your friends. 

The Monopoly Money Sensible Sally episode idea came from a fan.  I welcome your ideas.

deficitaid@gmail.com

Wednesday
06Jan2010

The Sensible Sally Webseries

 Sensible Sally Cartoon Series

 

This animated show depicts Sally, a forth grader,giving her point-of-view on deficit spending.

 

 

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