What Kids Can Teach Obama and Romney About The Economy

While watching the Super Tuesday primary results roll in, I said to my spouse:

“Looks like a Romney-Obama general election.”

My 8-year-old was in the room and asked what I meant, sparking a conversation about Presidential elections and how they occur every four years between two political parties.

My 8-year-old then asked:

“Why would [the two parties] want to do that?”

This sparked some discussion about Democratic and Republican ideals.

To simplify the difference, I proposed the admittedly simplified position of each party — every man for himself (Republican) or all together supporting one another (Democratic).

Rather than promote one ideology over the other, I posed the following scenario: 

“Pretend that your friend has fallen in the playground and a $5 bill has dropped from their pocket. You have to choose one of the following two choices (i) help your friend to their feet or (ii) pick up the $5 bill.”

I then asked my 8-year-old:

“What would you choose?”

Without hesitation, she said:

“Dad, I would help my friend get up ... then they could pay me for helping!”

Sounds like social capitalism to me. Pretty wise words for an 8-year-old.