"Hello, Mr. Krugman? If the System Is Corrupt, Aren't You?"

Jonathan Rauch | February 16, 2002

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"Felix. Felix, Felix, Felix. Can I ask you a question, Felix? How much is the median family income in America?"

"Um, sorry, Paul, I don't know."

"It's a bit over $50,000, Felix. Can I ask you another question? Would you guess that being the best friend the working man has got is the sort of thing a person can do on a shoestring? Is that what you'd guess?"

"No, Paul, not at all -- "

"Felix, taking corporations' money to do next to nothing and not be corrupted is not the sort of thing that just anyone can do, is it? It's the sort of thing that only a true friend of the working man can do, am I right?"

"I realize that, Paul, believe me."

"So you're asking me to do this for less than the average American family earns in a year? For less than Enron paid me? Which, by the way, was less than my going rate?"

"Well, it's just two days a year. Enron was four."

"Felix, I think maybe you'd better find yourself another economic visionary and tribune of the working man. Paying me to do next to nothing and not be corrupted is going to cost more than kitty litter."

"I understand, Paul. I'll see what I can do. Thanks... bye."

"Mr. Krugman? I have a reporter on the line. He says he's with the Washington Bugle."

"Oh, gee. I guess I'd better take it. Hello, this is Paul Krugman."

"Yes, Mr. Krugman? Hector Ferrit with the Bugle. I'm doing a piece on private money in American politics."

"OK, how can I help?"

"Well, about that $50,000 you agreed to take from Enron."