Posted by
sgtmajorbrad on Saturday, December 23, 2006 11:49:35 AM
For those that can remember 48, 49 then 50 stars on a flag
then you might remember a guy by the name of Tennessee
Ernie Ford and the song 16 tons. In this song are the lyrics, “Saint Peter don’tcha
call me cause I can’t go; I owe my soul to the company store.” For those whose existence
came later in life let me shed some light on the meaning of the lyrics. This song
was about coal mining and living in a coal town at the mercy of the employer.
Your job, your home, the stores and the food you purchased were owned by the
owner of the coal mine. These owners paid just less than what was necessary to survive
so the employees stayed in a constant state of debt where this employer would
hold the note forcing servitude and compliance. Any act of questioning authority
or defiance was met with calling in the note and either forcing contrition or
the more severe consequence of expulsion from their livelihood, their home and
their community because this was the only game in town. Now if you think I’m
writing a bleeding heart liberal comparison to the miners and illegal aliens
you’re WRONG…read on!
I’m using the above mind’s eye metaphor to denote today’s
elected officials’ debt they are required to pay back to their corporate
masters. These are the masters that are sponsoring the lobbyists with all of
that hidden cash in the form of donations and political action committees. As
in the case of certain individuals preferences cash is also not out of the
question. Some of it is so hot you have to store it in a freezer. These are also
the guys holding fund raisers at exclusive hotels at no charge to the candidate’s
campaign. They provide vacations and transportation to exotic places for the
official and his family, control the media and hold the negatives documenting
the indiscretions that would destroy the individual publicly and privately. As
it has been said before, “they’re puppets on a string.”
These individuals pulling the strings are very scared
because citizen like you and I are fed up with the crime, corruption and the
financial drain associated with illegal immigration. They fear that they soon may
be held accountable for this subservient society they have created in our
nation. This is why all of the rhetoric of denouncing the immigration raids and
the cries for comprehensive immigration that not only includes amnesty for
illegal aliens but amnesty for the employers of the illegal aliens.
Given the premise that there are a lot fewer employers in
proportion to the illegal alien employees it makes sense that enforcement should
be concentrated on those illegal employers for efficient and economic reasons.
Take away the reason for coming here and the illegal immigration stops. Take
away the cheap pool of labor and the employer is forced to use the citizens of
this nation because these are the jobs that can’t be exported to a foreign
nation. Had they been able to export them it would have been done a long time
ago. When this president cries for comprehensive immigration reform it is
because there is a corporate cattle prod in the hands of his proctologist and a
finger is on the button. The candidates vying for position in the 2008 election
are also getting fitted for their halter and bit.
There is a great statement my dad shared in my youth that I
remember well today. He said, “Silence is compliance.” Too many sit idly by
saying, “what good will it do, I’m just one person.” It is that attitude that
permits the corporate barons to laugh getting 400 million dollar bonuses while
you’re paying in excess of $3.00 per gallon of gas and selling out ahead of their
corporation’s demise draining the employees pension plans in the process dashing
their retirement dreams. If you’re reading this article then you have the means
to be heard and you already paid for the postage. Send your grievances and your
evaluation of your legislator’s performance in your own words and don’t wait
for someone to send you a form letter or petition to forward. Get involved, get
vocal and return this to a government of the people, by the people and for the
people. Here is a great link to get started with:
The next time you see ole folksy GW leaning on the
podium crying for comprehensive immigration reform think of old
Tennesee Ernie Ford ending the song by singing, "I owe my
soul............to the company store."