Is it really necessary to remind folks not to spend the rent (or college) money on the slot machines? And if someone is actually engaging in such obsessive and self-destructive behavior, is a casual comment to do otherwise from a stranger on TV likely to make a difference? Apparently the President of the United States thinks so. Maybe he’s right. In that case, let me remind everyone to be sensible and avoid the following: driving with your eyes closed, investing every last dime of your life savings in out-of-the-money options and expecting that politicians will focus (and speak) on the priorities du jour.