Oh They Do, Eh?

"My taxes pay your salary!"


I can't tell you how many times I've seen this in a TV show or a movie (normally in the face of a soldier or Marine). Just as many times, I'm sure, I've wondered out loud just what the clown tossing that line thought he'd accomplish. Has it ever worked? More importantly, who honestly thinks it could work?


Let's do a brief analysis, shall we?


Congress: Your taxes pay their salary...and a bunch of other crappy pork pet projects that you'd never bother to waste a dime of your own money. Seriously, they're probably laughing at everyone just thinking about how we pay them to put the screws to us.


Military: Again, your taxes pay their salaries...of course, liberal wing-nut taxes also pay their salaries. Think about that next time someone mentions that public opinion should have one darn thing to do with how our excellent soldiers, sailors, Marines & airmen protect us. Do you really want some half-baked, second-generation, old hippie dictating what the military can do? Sure, if you like commies!


Judges: Ironic that we, in fact, do pay their salaries & yet many continually thumb their noses at the Constitution (against the pleasure of the American people) & choose to provide "intelligent" legislation from the bench. I find it hard to believe that a collection of muu-muu-wearing old fogeys have amassed so much power...but then I just think of Congress & that at least gives me a parallel for comparison.


Welfare Bums: OK, so it's not really a "salary" in terms of payroll, but we're still paying the bill! Here's one group I do think we should be able to order around. Those orders, of course, would consist entirely of long, decadent walks into Davy Jones' locker; commands to perform unnatural acts with themselves; & the obligatory demand to engage in gainful employment.