Re: apocryphal soviet screw factory

["michael a. lebowitz" <mlebowit@xxxxxx>]

At 20:56 21/08/2004, Waistline2 wrote:
> "Comrades . . . we have fulfilled the plan ahead of schedule and raised
> production to a higher level."
>
> Where did the screw go?
>
> "To its point of destination for confirmation."
>
> How will the screw be used?
>
> "In varies socialist products that becomes functional as the result of
> this product."
>
> Can you give me the specific details?
>
> "That's in Comrade Melvin P's report."
>
> Where is Comrade Melvin?
>
> "At the sight of implementation to verify the fulfillment of the plan."
>
> When will he be back?
>
> "Once the plan has been verified."

Except Comrade Melvin didn't have to go anywhere. The screw was produced,
the plan was fulfilled, bonuses were earned and drinks were on the house,
Comrade Melvin making sure to get his fair share. By the time everyone
showed up again, you'd be part of the way into the next plan period but no
sweat the last 10 days of the month is what counted. Oh, the screw? Yeah,
that made its way to the designated user, who looked at it and said-- jeez,
another 10 lb screw. And sent it off to the part of the plant which they
set aside to melt down 10 lb screws to produce the screws they needed in
order to make the 80 lb chandeliers they specialised in.
        in solidarity,
         michael
Michael A. Lebowitz
Professor Emeritus
Economics Department
Simon Fraser University
Burnaby, B.C., Canada V5A 1S6

Currently based in Venezuela. Can be reached at
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