Satirical video series sums up just about everything you need to know about government

Poor Alexis. All she wants is to live her life and follow her dream, but her overbearing boyfriend, Scott "Gov" Govinski, insists on saving her from herself. Yeah, it's a pretty thinly veiled metaphor, but it's pretty funny. And pretty spot-on. This five-part comedy series is brought to you by the Independent Institute:

Episode 1: An Education in Debt

Episode 2: Protection from Jobs

Episode 3: A Remedy for Healthcare Choices

Episode 4: House Poor

Episode 5: Keeping a Close Eye on Privacy

When offered a bar of chocolate or a bar of silver, these people chose chocolate

No wonder our economy is in the shape it's in.


And to think that these people are allowed to vote. Heck, even Homer Simpson had more sense...

Bank of Canada upset at Star Trek fans for increasing value of its currency

Canada's five dollar bill sports an image of the country's seventh prime minister, Wilfrid Laurier. It just so happens that Laurier looks a bit like a hairless Spock, so Star Trek fans have been having a little fun:

Bank of Canada spokeswoman Josianne Menard acknowledges this kind of doodling isn't illegal:

However, there are important reasons why it should not be done. Writing on a bank note may interfere with the security features and reduces its lifespan. Markings on a note may also prevent it from being accepted in a transaction. Furthermore, the Bank of Canada feels that writing and markings on bank notes are inappropriate as they are a symbol of our country and a source of national pride.

Seems to me Ms. Menard should be thanking Trekkers for increasing the value of Canadian currency.

Even the U.S. Postal Service thinks we're idiots

There is a level of stupidity that is achieved only by those in government. One recent example of this is the decision of the U.S. Postal Service to destroy Michelle Obama's Just Move! stamp series. The stamps had to go because they depicted children engaged in various dangerous activities -- you know, things like jumping rope, playing soccer, and swimming.

From the government's perspective this sort of makes sense. If one actually believes that a stamp can promote good behavior, such as staying physically active, then it only follows that a stamp could also encourage risky behavior, like juggling without a helmet. Either way, it doesn't say much about how those in government view the rest of us. The way I see it, the only thing more insulting than being governed by idiots is to be treated as idiots.

(via PostalMag.com)

Capt. Kirk appalled by IRS 'Star Trek' spoof

In response to the horrible, $60,000 IRS Star Trek "training" video, Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner, tweeted the following:

"So I watched that IRS video. I am appalled at the utter waste of US tax dollars."

IRS rebuked for spending $60,000 on 'Star Trek' and 'Gilligan's Island' spoof videos

Congress has rebuked the IRS for spending $60,000 on "training" video parodies of Star Trek and Gilligan's Island. The IRS claims that the video training saved the agency $1.5 million compared to the costs of training employees in person.

Two observations. First, I find it incredibly ironic that members of Congress would complain about the wasting of taxpayer dollars. Wasting money is their sole purpose for existing.

Second, the following video does give us a rather candid glimpse into the bureaucratic mind. The video description pretty much sums it up:

The US Internal Revenue Service spent $60,000+ of your money to produce this terrible Star Trek spoof. Despite being really bad, the film does demonstrate the culture of government: You, the citizens, are tax cattle to be farmed for the state. Without genius central planners civilization itself would fall.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy $1.5 million worth of IRS training.

That's why I hide all my money in my mattress

(via Facebook)

The U.S. debt ceiling represented with $100 bills

The current U.S. debt is $16.394 and growing. Don't think it's a big deal? The U.S. GDP is $15.09 trillion. Do the math.

Unfortunately, words like "trillion" have little or no meaning to mere mortals. That's where infographics come in. Here, the national debt is represented with stacks of $100 bills:

Infographic: www.Demonocracy.info

If you think that's scary, click here and scroll down to see what $122.1 trillion in unfunded government liabilities looks like.

Man pays ticket with 137 dollar bills folded into origami pigs

Frustrated with a $137 ticket he received because of a red light camera, one man decided to pay his fine in style. He showed up at the police station with two Dunkin' Donuts boxes containing 137 dollar bills -- and each bill was folded neatly into an origami pig. The entire process took him about six hours.

You have to admire his perspicuity. He even got the whole incident on video:

The cost of being Batman: $682,451,350

Sorry, Occupiers, but if it wasn't for the 1%, we wouldn't have very many superheroes. Saving the world from evil is an expensive hobby. Just look at what it costs Bruce Wayne:

(from MoneySupermarket.com, via SuperHeroHype.com)

If household budgeting was like government budgeting

This pretty much sums it up.

Why I'd rather not drive out of my way for cheaper gas

(from xkcd)

Cracking the credit card code

Have you thought much about those lengthy account numbers on your credit cards? Aside from indicating which specific company issued the card, they also let the informed observer know whether a particular card is real or fake. It involves math (something called the Luhn algorithm), which explains why I've never really had an interest:

(from Mint Life, via Wall Stats)

Gas at 20 cents per gallon?

Yes, if the price is based on the value of silver used in U.S. coins nearly a half-century ago.

(via LewRockwell.com)