This cool math problem illustrates why government spending can actually reduce the debt. It is a good model for why when taxes and government spending go up, unemployment and debt goes down.
- A tourist stops at a small hotel, puts a $100 bill on the counter, and goes to inspect a room.
- The owner takes the bill and rushes off to pay the butcher, to whom he owes $100.
- The butcher races to his wholesaler and pays off his own $100 debt.
- The wholesaler hurries to the farmer and gives him $100 for the pigs he bought.
- The farmer hands over $100 to the party planner who set up his bachelor bash.
- The party planner heads to the hotel to pay the $100 she owes for the party room and lays the bill on the counter.
- At that point, the tourist returns to the front desk, says that the room is unsatisfactory, picks up the $100, and departs. The tourist has his money back, and everyone else is $100 ahead by reducing his or her debt by that amount.
No comments:
Post a Comment