Obama’s Economic Plan
Obama’s response to Bush’s State of the Union:
What we need to do now is put more money in the pockets of workers and seniors, and expand unemployment insurance for more people and more time. And I have a plan that to do just that.
Obama does not, of course, tell us what this plan is, but we have seen it before–in King Henry VI, Part 2. Note that Shakespeare wrote this coarse humor to appeal to the groundlings (the lower classes of society that had to sit on the ground because they could not afford theater seats) who realized just how preposterous Jack Cade’s platform was. Obama, on the other hand, expects the American electorate to swallow his “plan” whole.
This, by the way, may well be history’s first Socialist Squirrel speech.
Jack Cade
Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows reformation. There shall be in England seven halfpenny loaves sold for a penny: the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops and I will make it felony to drink small beer: all the realm shall be in common; and in Cheapside shall my palfrey go to grass: and when I am king, as king I will be,–ALL God save your majesty!
CADE I thank you, good people: there shall be no money; all shall eat and drink on my score; and I will apparel them all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers and worship me their lord. ..And here, sitting upon London-stone, I charge and command that, of the city’s cost, the pissing-conduit run nothing but claret wine this first year of our reign.
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