A Bail Out For Us!

Here’s a thought for our representatives, both Republican and Democrat: No more bail out!

If we are going to bail out each country that comes along and says, “Help” and we’re going to bail out each business that fails and says “Help,” then let’s bail you and me out. Our representatives are supposed to represent us. It doesn’t matter whether they are Democrat, Republican, or Independents once elected, the represent all the people of their district or area or even nation. So, tell your representative that you want a bail out too. Here’s an excerpt of an e-mail that makes good sense:

“I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a "We Deserve It" dividend. To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bona fide U.S. citizens, aged 18+. 
 
Our population is about 301 million counting every man, woman and child. So, 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up.

Now, divide 200 million, 18+ adults into $85 billion - that equals $425,000.00 each! Yes, my plan is to give that $425,000 to every adult as a "We Deserve It" dividend. 
 
Of course, it would NOT be tax free. So, let's assume a tax rate of 30%. Every recipient would pay $127,500.00 in taxes. That sends $25.5 billion right back to Uncle Sam! It also means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife would have $595,000.00! 


What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595, 000.00? Pay off your mortgage – housing crisis solved- Repay college loans – what a great boost to new grads 
· Put away money for college – it'll really be there 
· Save in a bank – create money to loan to entrepreneurs 
· Buy a new car – create jobs 
· Invest in the market – capital drives growth 
· Pay for your parent's medical insurance – health care improves 
· Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else 
 
Remember this is for every adult U.S. citizen, 18 and older.

Remember, this plan only really costs $59.5 billion because $25.5 billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.”


To me, it looks like this guy has the plan that will work. Maybe we should forward it to our representatives. 
 Should the government be worried that we can’t handle out money, let us send in an IRS form indicating how the money was used and they (our government) can send each of us a form telling us how they used our money. After all, someone once said that “people do what you inspect, not what you expect”.

2nd draft

Please look at the new, second draft of Beneath The Grove of Trees and feel free to make comments between the two. As always, thanks for reading.

Beneath The Grove of Trees 2nd draft

Looking into their eyes, I’ve wondered if they knew?
Did they understand that the time beneath the grove of trees was their last?
Children played, old men talked, and women handed out bread
Soon they lined up and marched like good Jews

They carried clothing, suitcases, toys,
the things they brought on the train ride from home.
Coats, hats, scarfs, and shoes, socks, undergarments
treasures to those conducting the day.

Home, roundup, train, gun, then a pleasant place beneath the grove of trees
Some may have asked what it all could mean
Stand tall little ones as you walk, old ones lift up your chins
mothers look brave for the photographs, soon it will be all that’s left.

Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty
the decades that roll on and the photographs remain.
Looking into their eyes, I have to wonder if they knew?
Did they understand that the time beneath the grove of trees was their last?

Their faces, their eyes, their fear, their common star
reminds us today that they could not understand.
We know that the time beneath the grove of trees was their last
and photographs remain with us to speak out Never Again!

Clinton Thomas ©2008

Two Pictures That Inspired Beneath The Grove of Trees

It could be said that many images inspired the first draft of Beneath The Grove of Trees . However , the two below were used when I started writing the poem. The Nazi organization had death camps such as Auschwitz surrounded by trees. Beneath the grove of trees was actually a caption used on the top photograph. Thank you for reading.

Beneath The Grove of Trees - (1st Draft)

Looking into their eyes, I have to wonder if they knew?
Did they understand that the time beneath the grove of trees was their last?
Children played, old men talked, and women handed out bread
Soon they lined up and marched like good little soldiers

They carried their clothing, suitcases, toys, and
whatever else they brought on the train ride from home.
Coats, hats, scarfs, and shoes, socks, undergarments
treasures to those conducting the day.

Home, roundup, train, gun, and a pleasant place beneath the grove of trees
Some must have asked what it all could mean
Stand tall little ones as you march by, old ones lift your chins up
look brave for the photographs, soon it will be all that’s left.

Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, sixty and so on
decades that roll by and the photographs live on.
Looking into their eyes, I have to wonder if they knew?
Did they understand that time beneath the grove of trees was their last?

Their faces, their eyes, their fear and their common star
reminds us all today that they did not understand.
We now understand that the time beneath the grove of trees was their last
and photographs remind us. Never Again!

(Clinton Thomas ©2008)

Proud Dad

You all can't imagine how proud I was when my 13 year-old son shared some of his fiction with me. It seems that writing runs in the family. Although I have no idea who the characters are, he assures me that his stories are read by friends and well liked. I must admit, I can understand why. They are good! As soon as he has a page up, I'll post it here.

Way to go Blake