Temperance We Stand, Taxed We Fall. Or Not.

There's a new book out called "Last Call". It's interesting in that it calls attention to the similarities between right now and the period between 1919 and 1933. Remember those goods old days? What's that you say? It was before your time? Well, mine too. It happens that that was a time when a relatively small but powerful group of citizens managed to take away people's rights by amending the constitution so that you couldn't buy or even consume alcohol. Yep, it was Prohibition. How does that compare to our present condition? Nobody is suggesting we can't have a brew of our favorite liquid. That of course, is true. But just like back then a relatively small group of activists forced elected officials to sign pledges to do their bidding. Then it was prohibition, now it's no new taxes. Even though the vast majority, back then and now, were/are against the single issue of prohibition or no taxes even on the rich. It didn't make any sense back then to prohibit consuming alcohol and it doesn't make sense now not to increase taxes if needed. Back then it caused wide spread lawlessness, now it could well cause financial ruin for our country. Back then the Temperance League didn't care about crime, and now the Tea Party doesn't seem to care about the good name of America. That our country nearly defaulted and that it's credit rating was lowered is of no concern. The only thing that matters now is that they get their way, which is exactly the sentiment the Temperance folks held. Why do you suppose people would put up with this? Well, back then, people didn't put up with it. They just went ahead and drank. The difference was that criminals profited from it. Wildly profited from it. Now people are beginning to let elected officials know they're sick of this nonsense and want it to stop. If the Tea Party folks don't stop interfering, they likely won't fair so well come November 2012. At least we can hope. In the meantime though, we're still in danger of real problems. And now there's a new cowpoke on the scene. Texas Gov. Rick Perry wants to amend the constitution to take away some more rights. Like no gays or lesbians can marry, women can't decide when or if to end a pregnancy and repeal the 17th amendment to take away your right to directly elect your Senators. All this while claiming he wants to make the federal government as inconsequential to your lives as possible. Sounds like he's in favor of making it more consequential not less.