Indianapolis, IN

Tue 31 July 2007

So, I’m thinking about the Indiana “Tea Party.” Last week, many Hoosiers turned out at the Broad Ripple canal to throw their property tax bills into the canal. Inspired by the Boston Tea Party which took place Thursday, December 16, 1773, this incident was the reaction to the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts of 1767. They were citing that they were being taxed unfairly, and that they, as Americans, did not have representation in Parliament. The British claimed that they were “virtually represented,” but the Americans didn’t think these “virtual representatives” knew anything about America. This led to Rev. Jonathan Mayhew coining the famous mantra “No taxation without representation.” And this, my friends, is why we study history. Not just to fill up your schedule in high school. Not so that our youngsters can have naptime after lunch. No, it is because history will eventually repeat itself. Like now. Who knew that in 2007 we would still be fighting with “No taxation without representation?” Here’s the deal, I’m not even sure whose fault it is. But I do have a feeling that it seems like the government is trying to scam us all. (Not to mention that now they’re taxing more out of our paychecks as well.) But the point is that it seems like there is no one in our government who represents the “people’s voice.” (And the ones who do hear us, are “quieted” by the others.) Once you are elected, do you stop becoming a “person?” Do you have an orientation to learn how to be a cold, heartless bastard? Or is it a learned side effect? Regardless of the reason, our voice is not being heard, and we’re being hurt by the people we’ve elected and trusted. Just like in 1773 when the Americans were fed up with the British, desperate times lead to desperate measures. And I suppose we can all borrow a line from the 1976 film Network and say, “I’m mad as hell, and I’m going to take it anymore!”

: US history, American Revolution, No taxation without representation, Boston Tea Party