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  3. As recently as 50 years ago, economists regarded the vitality of the economy as its ability to produce things people want (and w

As recently as 50 years ago, economists regarded the vitality of the economy as its ability to produce things people want (and w

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问题      As recently as 50 years ago, economists regarded the vitality of the economy as its ability to produce things people want (and would pay for ). Today, the economy has been redefined into something called the Gross Domestic Product, or GDP. It measures all goods and services brought to market ia a given year: But is it really an accurate measure of how well an economy is serving people’ s needs? Here are some outlandish ways the GDP can be boosted.
     Things Kids Can Do. Get sick. Constant medical attention is good for the GDP. Medical costs account for 14 percent of it. Let’s stay on the growth curve. Kids can commit crimes. If they get arrested, they go to jail, the expensiveness of which gives the economy a push.
     Things Adults Can Do. Get a divorce. Legal costs, two houses, and all the things that go with two houses (furniture, kitchen supplies, pictures, etc. ) are important components of the GDP. Divorcer’s stimulated consumer demand.
     Break something around the house, like a television, a dish, or a window. Replacing these increases the GDP and creates jobs.
      Smash up the car. It will have to be fixed or replaced. The auto industry employs, directly and ’indirectly, one of every seven workers in the U.S., and they need the overtime.
     For great results, burn down the house. Don’ t worry. If you handle it right, insurance will pay for it and the rebuilding will keep a lot of people busy for a while.
     Overeat, don’ t exercise, don’ t brush your teeth, do drugs, smoke, drink, and make yourself terribly sick. Get family members to do the same. Higher medical expenditures especially help the GDP move up, up, up.
     Hire a lawyer and take somebody to court. Lawyers’ fees are directly added to GDP.
     For Best Results, Get The Government Involved: Lobby your elected representatives to raise taxes and spend more money. Government spending on goods and services adds to the GDP and "creates" jobs.
     Start a war. Preferably one far away where no Americans get killed. B-2 bombers, tanks, bullets  ....  all count in the GDP. Also, send Stinger missiles to liberation armies around the world. Maybe some of these missies will be used to knock down airliners. Replacing them helps the economy, and, if lawyers get involved, there’s a GDP bonus.
     Target savers ! People who save actually hurt the economy because they don’t spend. If people spend their savings, then those purchases are added to the GDP. When they don’t spend, the economy suffers. What can be done to discourage saving? First, tax the return on savings: a higher capital gains tax would be very helpful. Second, and best, devalue the currency. By printing up more and more money, we can reduce the value of people’s savings (especially their long-term savings such as their pension funds) secretly stealing their’ savings for politicians to spend and thereby Increase GDP.
     Get Mother Nature On Your Side. Pray for a natural disaster: a hurricane, an earthquake, a big fire, a flood. Disasters give the GDP a tremendous lift because of all the rebuilding that must take place.
     If we do all these things, we’ll have enough statistical growth to replace decades of economic stagnation. We may achieve double-digit rates. As for whether the economy is actually of vitality, we’ 11 have to ask an economist who exercises more critical judgment than those who swear by GDP data.  
According to the writer, GDP______.
选项 A、is a perfect sign of living standards
B、demonstrates what people want
C、mirrors how far our life goes wrong
D、only reflects statistical growth
答案D
解析 主旨题。对应原文最后一段：If we do all these things，we’ll have enough statistical growth to replace decades of economic stagnation．由此可知GDP只代表统计数字的增长。答案为D。stagnation n．不景气
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