A Modern Fable

Once upon a tilme there were the people of a village who felt strongly they were paying too much taxes and also in water bills.

Just the other day someone saw Mable the water meter lady talking sociably to someone and not doing her job.

The townspeople sat around at their tea parties and talked about how Mable had waisted at least 10 to 15 minutes that day.  They felt they were not getting their money's worth.

The more talk over cups of tea the more angry people became.  They demanded a townhall meeting.

Old John Dooly, the town's engineer said good, he had something he would like to share also.

John wanted to speak first but the people that called the meeting that since they were the ones who called the meeting, they had  priority of speaking first.  Which they did.

They demanded if the officials wanted to keep their job they would make it a law not to raise taxes for any reason what so ever.

To make the no tax increase admendment stronger they tacked on a second law saying to propose a tax increase would be a criminal act punishable by 12 months of hard labor at the county prison compound.

Old John Dooly, the engineer,  raised his hand and asked that he be allowed to speak before what they proposed was voted on.  They denied his request.

They made a law no new taxes what so ever and if any one even proposed an increased in taxes it was punisable by 12 months of hard labor.  And the law was made in a such a way, there would be no way to side-step it.

They had it embedded in the laws that there was no way taxes could be raised.

Then the key speaker, very courteous now, that the townspeople got what they wanted told Old John Dooly, the engineer that he could speak then, if he still wanted to.

Old rose and told the people of the meeting that  the tunnels and sewage lines under the street structures were beginning to corrode and cave in.  It would cost much more money to repair and replace the pipes than the town has in the treasury.  A lot more money was needed.

He added, "I'll leave it to you people decide what to do."