Read the Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Is Uncle Scrooge an ideological cartoon? If so, what 19th century ideology does he embody? What was Scrooge's approach for managing the poor and unemployed? Can you find examples of American politicians today who are recommending a similar policy? And what is that anti-welfare policy called? Why does the Christmas Carol tale appeal to Americans so much that Hollywood does a remake every other year? Do you believe that Dicken's Spirit of Christmas Future will visit America's four million, long term unemployed this Christmas time? Or should we just say: "Bah! Humbug!!"