Our Uncle Sam is in intensive care. He’s got cancer and it’s terminal. It’s called debt.

His family physician, Dr. Ron Paul, has recommended for years that Uncle Sam lose that debt weight, start exercising (saving) and lay off all of that nasty fatty foods (excess credit).

But old Uncle Sam didn’t listen. “That would hurt too much!” he said. “And those fatty donuts taste oh so good!”

Uncle Sam’s put on a lot of weight recently. Now old Uncle Sam’s had a heart attack and is in the ICU.

The monitors are all flashing red. All his buddies from the banks are gathered around and recommending yet another massive blood transfusion, even though none of them worked before.

Dr. Paul has recommended radical surgery to cure the cancer. But since it would be done without anesthesia, old Uncle Sam said no. That would hurt. He wants the blood transfusion, since it will make him feel good.

“Trouble is,” said Dr. Paul, “This transfusion would only be temporary even if it does work, which is doubtful. Your cancer has spread throughout your whole body. Even if it does work, next year you’ll have an even bigger heart attack and be back in the ICU.”

“And,” warned the good Dr. Paul, “By then, we’ll be out of blood.”

George Glass, Lewiston