We're from the Government...

Mr. Smith sat in his small, functional office going over his bank statement and sales reports. He had to find more money somewhere in this mess: not to expand the business, but just to keep it going: this was not the Reagan 80's, it was 2009.

"If I can just keep coasting for another few months", he thought, "maybe the economy will turn around and we can stop living on the edge of destruction like this."

Suddenly, the door opened and two men stepped in. They looked like they had stepped right out of Men in Black, or the Blues Brothers. "Mr. Smith, I'm agent Schwartz, and this is agent 2243. We're from the government stimulus committee." They both simultaneously smiled the exact same smile at the exact same second.

"If you can provide us with your business financial records," Schwartz continued; "we can determine how much the government can help".

Mr. Smith had an inherent distrust of government help. Whenever he had turned to government in the past, their help had always been a gift that keeps on taking, not giving. "Agents, I didn't ask for your help. I don't want your help."

They glanced sideways at each other through the darkened shades they had not removed, even though they were inside. They had heard this answer before. "I'm afraid, Mr. Smith - that help is not optional in this case. We will require your records now."

Mr. Smith stood and backed away from his desk. The nameless agent put a small thumb drive in the USB port, and the terminal, though locked, sparked to life and filled the thumb disk with all the financial records it stored. The agent then unplugged the drive, placed it in a pre-labeled plastic cylinder, and then in a zip-lock plastic evidence bag.

"Thank you for your co-operation Mr. Smith. We'll be in touch."

A week later, four intimidating agents entered the office unannounced. "Mr. Smith, the Government has determined that you made money last year."

Mr. Smith pushed his chair back and looked for a way out of the room. There wasn't one. "A little, yes. We made a little money last year. It wasn't easy."

"Mr. Smith. The Stimulus Committee has determined that you owe a total of $2million to the US Treasury. It's your part of the stimulus package - your patriotic duty. Please sign here." The agent pushed a paper across the desk.

"This is the help the government offers? This company doesn't have $2 million? It never will! I can't pay! I won't! I filed my taxes and I paid every cent I owed. I refuse!" Mr. Smith folded his arms defiantly.

The agent took the paper back. "I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Smith. To fulfill your debt, the government has seized this business and all it's assets. We hoped it would not come to this, but in all honesty, it's a done deal."

As Mr. Smith walked out the door of the business he spent 35 years building, the agents began loading all the equipment and assets onto trucks. Before he had walked to the front gate the employees were being evicted from their jobs. By the time he reached the edge of the parking lot, the building was padlocked.