We own banks and real estate, so why not ice cream?

The U.S. government should enter into the business of ice cream. Seriously, think about the money that could be done to the taxpayers by getting involved in the industry that provides relief from the heat of our southern Utah to the humidity of the Midwest and South. Advertising


Sure, the company would not be so good in the winter, but we can take advantage of the heat, the summer months.

Think about it. We all have less guilt with every mouthful of chocolate, vanilla or strawberry ice cream if we knew that the money was going to Uncle Sam for the benefit of our country.

Is it ridiculous? Do you think the government has no part in private enterprise?

Apparently, you're wrong. As taxpayers, in the past six weeks, we have acquired interests in the property sector, thanks to the rescue of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. We have bought into the insurance industry, thanks to AIG.

Then, last week formally purchased in the banking sector, this time with a plan for the purchase of shares in nine or more banks.

Apparently, our elected leaders and persons designated by the Bush administration can talk a good game about the decline of government and let the market work, but they can not fully meet that goal. No amount of political rhetoric can hide the facts.

The problems facing our nation's financial markets are complex. Most people understand that we are not going to dig ourselves from the mess we have created - with "us" that elected officials, entrepreneurs and all Americans - in the next year or two. And I do not mean to trivialize the money lost by people who were injured when markets seized up a couple of weeks ago.

However, it seems that the government is taking some rather dramatic steps that go directly counter to the ideologies of the United States - at least those parts about capitalism that I was taught in school.

Unfortunately, it does not sound like Barack Obama or John McCain have solid strategies to address the problem. Both have ideas that, at least on the surface, as the sound that is going to cost a lot of money. The programs sound good, as they struggle to help Americans keep their homes and keeping jobs.

However, if the candidates have not heard the news, our estimated budget deficit soared to $ 454.8 million just last week. Our national debt is more than $ 10 billion.

How is that the intention of paying for your programs? Notice how much dodge with the particularities involved.

This brings us back to ice cream. Since we are already in the banking sector, we can guarantee loans for the company. We are in real estate, so we can find the shop fronts we are going to need. Even we can assure ourselves against theft, fire and other calamities.

And let's face it. Americans love ice cream. We eat tons of tons of it each year.

With each ball, we can pay the national debt, and the people who actually have a favorable opinion of his government for a change.

Tongue in cheek? Yes. Absurd? Maybe.

But is not it sad how close we have become a real possibility this?