def encode_as_simple(name, value):
    """Creates an etree element following the simple field convention. Values
    are assumed to be strs, unicodes, ints, floats, or Decimals:
    
        >>> element = encode_as_simple('foo', '5')
        >>> element.tag == 'foo'
        True
        >>> element.text == '5'
        True
        >>> element = encode_as_simple('bar', 8)
        >>> element.tag == 'bar'
        True
        >>> element.text == '8'
        True
    """
    if isinstance(value, objectify.ObjectifiedDataElement):
        return encode_as_simple(name, unicode(value))
    if type(value) in _stringable_types:
        value = str(value)
    return elements.field(name, value)