The Art of Moderation

With the Bank of England now forecasting that inflation in the Dis-United Kingdom is likely to reach 3.7%, Gordon the Moron will no doubt be telling us how well he is managing the global economic downturn, after leaving the hapless Darling the Farthing to squirm and wriggle his way out of the 10% tax rate fiasco - which was Gordon the Moron's doing in the first place.
'Some politicians do not know the meaning of shame' Nosher announced as we settled into our old deckchairs after a morning's gardening. I accepted the offer of a glass of parsnip wine and contemplated the prospect of Gordon the Moron ever feeling ashamed.
'There's something in the mind-set of those who aspire to power that seems to erode their capacity for humility' I said. 'Perhaps it has something to do with the hubris that sooner or later overcomes those who achieve power, even if they manage to conceal it most of the time.'
Nosher glanced across at me as if questioning my statement.
'I wonder' he began tentatively 'if our leaders sometimes forget about traditional moral advice such as St Paul's "moderation in all things" and Aristotle's "Golden Mean".'
'Not only do they forget it, they encourage others to forget it also' I rejoined 'after all, Gordon the Moron when he was Chancellor, borrowed heavily and called in financial prudence, and encouraged a low-interest consumer credit economy, and now he's stuck with the awkward prospect of consumers reducing their borrowing and tipping the economy into recession.'
'Those who will be least affected by the economic downturn' Nosher said 'will be those who resisted the tempations of credit and lived within their means. They might have to tighten their belts a little, but not nearly so much as those who have big credit commitments.'
'There's something to be said for the art of moderation, even in good times' I concluded.
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