Debt crisis would impact U.S. ("cash for chamomile" program?

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou said Monday that the United States would not be an innocent bystander if his country's debt crisis were to worsen. In a speech at the Brookings Institution, a liberal think-tank, Papandreou said that a wider crisis would cause the euro to weaken against the dollar in foreign-exchange trading. "That, in turn, means a rising U.S. trade deficit, which will not help American's economy rebound," he said. Papandreou will meet President Barack Obama on Tuesday afternoon. Papandreou said he would discuss with Obama "the important role I believe the United States can play to ensure that Greece, Europe, and America remain strong, healthy partners." A spokesman for the Greek embassy said the prime minister had no plans to meet officials of the International Monetary Fund.

Grandpa senses another White House program in the works: "Cash for Chamomile". Christina Romer is in the test kitchen prepping for tomorrow's meeting.