Thinking outside the box?

South Carolina U.S. Senate candidate Alvin Greene has caught national attention with his lack of campaigning and lack of experience.  Now he is in the news again for his campaign platform idea on jobs.  Greene may appear naive, but he seems to have an understanding of modern Keynesian fiscal policy.  The Senate candidate is suggesting that the government produce Alvin Greene action figures. "Greene says the toys could be based on his rise from shy high school student to successful political candidate ... his action figure plan shows he's thinking outside the box."


If you think that seems silly then ask yourself whether that is any more ridiculous than the government providing tax incentives to businesses, cash for clunkers, cash for appliances, or any of the numerous projects in the stimulus bill such as Large and Mini Picnic Shelters in Irmo, SC.  All of these funds have an opportunity cost and we have to ask how they would have been spent had it not gone into programs such as TARP and the stimulus bill.