Over the holidays, I saw my sister star (well, almost) in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." I think today's pols should go see this show, and not because my little sister is in it.

Among other things, the story of Joseph is a story about planning ahead.

The short version: Joseph interprets Pharoah's dream about seven skinny cows swallowing seven fat cows. Joseph's interpretation? Seven great harvests are going to be followed by seven years of famine. Pharoah wisely sets up a tax system, such that everyone sets aside a portion of their good harvests for use during the coming time of famine.

The shorter version: Plan for bad times during the good times.

Biblical version: Genesis 41.

Does the story of Joseph have relevance today? Absolutely.

Young population today, old population tomorrow. Better start saving up the retirement funds now.

A relatively clean environment today, potential explosion of carbon emissions tomorrow as transitioning economies, um, transition. Better figure out our strategy now.

American economic dominance today, a more educated - and competitive - global workforce tomorrow. Better act now to educate tomorrow's American workforce, so that we have a decent chance of competing in a globalized economy.

Sadly, we're not addressing any of these long-term challenges. Why not? Maybe because it's politically painful. Or maybe it's because we're under the impression that times are bad right now.

I dunno. I think, relatively speaking, life is pretty good now. Or, put another way, these are the fat cow years. If I'm wrong and we save today, well, then we'll be over-prepared.

But what if I'm right, and we don't plan ahead? Then perhaps one day our kids will go to Broadway to see George and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a tragic tale of a leader who didn't understand the story of Joseph.

Me, I prefer the story of Joseph. It has a happier ending.