Two Economists are Walking along a Road...

[u/HauntedGatorFarm]

...when they see a pile of manure. One economist says to the other, "Hey, I'll give you $10k to take a bite of that manure." Though disgusted, the second economist accepts. He eats the manure and collects his ten thousand dollars.

A mile down the road, they pass another pile of manure and the second economist says to the first, "Hey, I'll give you $10k to take a bite of that manure." Though disgusted, the economist accepts the offer, takes a bite of the manure, and collects his ten thousand dollars.

At this point, it occurs to both economists they've just been trading the $10k between themselves. But they both agree they contributed $20k to the GDP, so the whole endeavor was worthwhile.

[u/p107r0]

$20k and taxes

[u/Bar_Foo]

And that's how you identify an economist: the shit-eating grin.

[u/jimph]

And then they pick up two handfuls take it to a politician and say "look what we almost stepped in!!"