My daughter is turning five soon. She wanted to buy five of those shiny foil balloons that can cost anywhere from three to ten dollars.
Me: Those balloons are really expensive. If we buy five of them, that would cost twenty-five dollars. For that much money you could get two presents. Or five books.
My daughter: But I want five balloons because I’m turning five.
Me: We could return two of your presents and get you five balloons.
My daughter: But I want all of those presents.
Me: Then you only get one special balloon.
My daughter: If you give me five balloons, and you don’t return any of my presents, I will stop the arguing.
She has already mastered the filibuster.
Earlier this year she proved she could be House Majority Leader for the Republicans.
James Kwak 