Averaging Down

Have you noticed how the news stories we are fed every day seem to compete in populism, simplicity, and superficiality? The benchmark was officially set during the recent Presidential campaign when we were introduced to Joe the Plumber and all public dialogue henceforth had to be conducted at a level understandable to him. So it should come as no surprise that our elected representatives and economic luminaries have yet to engage into a debate about what a $9.7 trillion bailout program would mean to a $13.8 trillion economy - given that they don't seem to have the first clue, explaining it to poor old Joe would be borderline impossible. On the other hand, K. Lewis spending 8 hours on a train to get to Washington D.C. in order to receive his public bashing, is something we can all relate to and therefore the story rightfully dominated the wires. Kenny, you have been punished enough - now you can have your bailout package.