I couldn't decide which story to post, so, a double shot of silly government goofiness, starting with

Turning The Camera Around: Health Care Stakeholders

When 22 senators started working over the first health care overhaul bill on June 17, the news cameras were pointed at them -- except for NPR's photographer, who turned his lens on the lobbyists. Whatever bill emerges from Congress will affect one-sixth of the economy, and stakeholders have mobilized. We've begun to identify some of the faces in the hearing room, and we want to keep the process going. Know someone in these photos? Let us know who that someone is -- e-mail dollarpolitics@npr.org or let us know via Twitter @DollarPolitics.

Check out the photo's of all the lobbyists at the link. They couldn't possibly be influencing the process, could they?

Out to California, or, as I call it, Zimbabwe West

LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Reuters)- California's controller said on Wednesday that he would have to issue IOUs in a week if lawmakers can't quickly solve a $24 billion budget deficit, and the state's treasurer plans to tap a reserve fund to meet debt service cost

I think that all you great folks out there in the Bear State should hold on to said IOUs till tax time next year, and, if you owe taxes, send it in. Or use it at a government service office. Do y'all have ABC stores out there? Here in NC, all liquor - excluding beer and wine - is sold at government run stores. Think they'll take it?