I’m not a big fan of military draft. If we’re in a war that can’t be supported by the levels of volunteer forces, I think it’s a good indication that we probably shouldn’t be there.
But here’s a draft I’d be totally behind – a big brain draft. Why does it never seems like the smartest people available are making the decisions? The Big Brains are off in academia or major companies. Not working for the government. Granted, working in the federal government is its own kind of special. And you aren’t going to make tons of money. And there wouldn’t be a lot of theoretical stuff going on.
But, frankly, boo hooey for youey. Too freakin’ bad. This is war! Well, actually, it’s a financial crisis. But why is the threat to the American way of life posed by a financial crash any different than evil doers on foreign soil? The SEC is a mess. The Treasury is a mess. Social Security is a mess. Fannie Mae. Freddie Mac. The Federal Reserve. The list goes on. We’re up to our asses in alligators. Something has to be done.
So I say, we walk into the major universities and companies of this company. “You. You. You. Come with me. You’re 1A.” All the people who right books and speak at conferences. All the finance professors and CEOs who haven’t managed to crash a company. “Grab your calculator and let’s go. You work for Uncle Sam now.” Then they all have to go to Washington, sit at desks set up in RFK stadium, drinking bad coffee and eating egg salad sandwiches until they get this thing back on the rails.
For once, it wouldn’t be some 18-year old kid being asked to sacrifice for his country. It would be some crusty old guy. And for once, it would be fair. It was the crusty old guys who got us in this mess.
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6 comments:
I'm with you. But just an FYI, from a Washington "insider" to an "outsider," RFK is passe. :-)You'd put those braniacs up at the shiny new Nationals Stadium. It's right in DC on the new Anacostia waterfront and they have a pretty good choice of food to snack on while they're hacking away on the calculators.
I don't know, Nationals Stadium might be a little too posh. Wouldn't want them getting comfy. Get in, do your job and get out. No settling in.
Though I'd be totally behind running an incentive program with the ball club. Every brainiac who knocks a billion off of the bailout plan gets a free Nats hat and a Ben Bernanke bobblehead doll.
Yumm egg salad sandwiches - I'm so there.
Seriously WHY should those with brains help the govt? It is a thankless, hateful job -- and worse you get blamed for anything that fails and the glory for anything that succeeds gets grabbed up by others (see Reagan claiming Wall of Berlin).
Why? For the same reason that drafted soldiers have to go off and fight in wars. Because they are needed. And they wouldn't have to be underappreciated gov't workers the rest of their lives. Just until we have a financial regulatory system that works. Or, on second thought, the rest of their lives. Whichever comes first.
See now - this seems very unfair - punishing with a virtual death sentence thosw who are smart and talented. Now if EVERYONE had to serve 2 years in govt upon college graduation - in whatever capacity - army, think tank, etc. that might be more even.
To whom much is given, much is expected.
Of course, this is probably easy for me to say because I'm not smart. No chance I could pull the country's chessnuts out of the fire. But if the government ever needs people who can make martinis, knit wash cloths or write silly blogs, they can give me a call. I'd do it. For AMERICA!!
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