“Who’s gonna pay for it?”
I was standing in line at the Taco Bus. 2:00 AM.
“Who’s gonna pay for it?”
I was standing in line at the Taco Bus. 2:00 AM.
I work the 4:00 PM to midnight shift, and 2 hours isn’t enough time for me to get drunk enough to be disorderly, but the owner of the belligerent voice behind me didn’t care - he was ready to fight.
The distressed citizen with the loud whine was not worried about the price of tacos - he was pissed off because his teenage nephew had the temerity to remark upon the union T-shirt that I was wearing.
The nephew noted my union colors and asked if I had attended the Awake the State Rally in Tampa. He excitedly relayed his experience at the event and was obviously happy to see a fellow traveller.
The Awake the State rally was all about austerity and the fact that no Floridian can afford any more state budget cuts. We can balance the budget by closing corporate tax loopholes - we don’t need to fire teachers and firemen.
Anyway, I gave the nephew my card and encouraged him to attend Friday’s rally in front of Rep. Dana Young’s office.
That's when the adult spoke up.
“Who’s gonna pay for it?”
I attempted to engage this brainless twit in conversation. I said that the unions and public sector workers are not responsible for budget woes. I explained revenue could be increased in order to balance the budget and that we would not have to fire teachers or raise college tuition or close state parks.
I noted that a modest tax increase for the wealthiest citizens would solve many of our budget problems.
I pointed out that cutting costs is only one part of balancing a budget and that increasing revenue should also be on the table.
The adult went OFF on me. “WHO”S GONNA PAY FOR IT?!?”
“The rich and the corporations - they need to start paying their fair share.”
Suddenly, we’re shouting at each other. Other folks in line are staring. The idiot is yelling at me and I’m yelling back. He’s bashing unions and calling me a thug, and I’m in his face calling him on his shit.
The nephew is watching with big eyes.
And then a dude in line, one of the lookers-on, says “Enough!”
“Just stop it,” he pleads. “Can’t we all just get along? Can’t we all just live in peace?”
He actually covers his ears as I respond rather forcefully:
“NO!” I emphatically exclaim. “This asshole is attacking me. He is attacking you. He is attacking all of the working class. I cannot be silent. I cannot be polite in the face of an attacker. WE are in a class war, and with your silence you capitulate and you empower our enemy.”
Silent, capitulating, go along to get along - no more.
It’s time to stand up. It’s time to push back. It’s time to take back what’s rightfully ours.
Then we can live in peace.
Join us in Tampa today to Fight Back Florida.
Postscript: The nephew’s planning to attend our rally today - but don’t tell his uncle!
Updated by norwood at Fri Mar 25, 2011 at 04:47 AM EDT
Adding location for Tampa rally:
Outside Rep. Dana Young's Office
2909 W. Bay to Bay Boulevard
Tampa, FL