The Dollar That Stopped To Talk With The Media

Have you ever given thought to that great quote from the late President Harry Truman?

"The buck stops here."

I had to wonder something about this...I was writing an unpublished blog about the economic DEPRESSION we've been experiencing the past two-and-a-half years, and in light of the new federal deficit limit having been raised again this week, I wondered about the almighty dollar, the buck, and if it were to stop at The White House for a few minutes --- just what would it say?

If, as Harry Truman says, the buck stops "here" - I guess meaning The White House - what is it saying this week? Here's a transcript of the dollar meeting with the media.

Dollar (on the White House lawn, holding court with CBS, ABC, FOX, NBC, CNN, AP, MetroSource --- no, wait, they didn't send anyone from Phoenix --- they forced a CBS cameraman to give them audio, USA Today, the Christian Science Monitor, and the rest of the gigantic media pool): "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen of the media. I won't be taking any questions, just a simple address because I am supposed to stop here at the White House now and then to have the president take a look at me before I go to Capitol Hill --- actually, I think it is capital hill these days --- where I will then pass through the congressional record on the way to a brief stop up at Wall Street. (the dollar pauses for the camera clicks and a couple of laughs from the media) Wow, look at me. I don't go as far as the Euro. I yearn to be as good as the Yen. Did you know that compared to this month 10 years ago, I am probably really worth about 86 cents? Well, I know I've heard conflicting stories about my value --- but I know this much about Americans: they're more concerned about keeping me in their wallets than ever before, but yet they keep putting their faith in plastic money worth less than my Washington-faced paper. I just don't get it. I hope that by 2012 I can once again be worth what I was in 2000. But it remains to be seen if the U.S. Treasury will figure out a way to make me a valued commodity again.

I'm sorry I don't have time to take your questions at this point. I must go meet with the Secretary of Commerce before we see the President. Have a nice afternoon."


Somehow, I think that dollar has a valid point or two. But, hey --- at least he used some humor while discussing the economy. We could all use a bit of humor, considering the global economic condition at the outset of 2010.

I can almost hear a reporter who has been "laid off" three different times in the 21st Century yelling from the back of the media pool, "You go, dollar!"