Hey, Big Spender

Jack is beginning to learn the rudimentary basics of capitalism. His first introduction to the concept of 'money' came at the park. When the magic ice cream truck rolled up, Daddy pulled out his pockets and said, "Sorry, Buddy -- no money." "No money," came Jack's reply. (Roxana has mastered the same neat trick).

This morning when I went to get him out of bed, he looked up at me and said "Daddy, need money." When I asked him why, he said "Need go store." And when I asked him what he needed at the store, he said "Cereal bars." It was cool to see him put all those concepts (Need A to go to B to buy C) together.

Since it was 6:15 a.m., I told him he was more than welcome to take my car keys and drive himself to the Safeway. He passed up the offer, and settled for milk, cheerios and watching Oobi on the couch.

Next week: The need for greater federal regulations of the chicken nugget derivative trading market in the wake of higher commodity prices and tightening global credit.