Tea for two? Not at those prices . . .

Tea parties that were held yesterday in Alabama cost more than tea parties in other states.

Let me say that again if you missed it, this time with emphasis:

Tea parties that were held yesterday in Alabama cost more than tea parties in other states.

(INSERT IRONY HERE):

In Alabama the tea was subject to at least a four percent tax at the grocery store.

The partiers in the rest of the states did not have to pay that tax.
(Except Mississippi. Mississippi is like Alabama.)

This thought came to me as I listened to the inspirational leaders of the effort to abolish the Alabama sales tax on groceries.

I believe in public discourse about important issues. I liked the idea of the tea parties yesterday. I probably disagree with many of the folks who attended. But they were out there expressing their opinion. I hated the racial and ridiculous stuff. But protesting taxes and the power of government is kind of an American thing to do.

Sometimes you feel so frustrated you have to make some noise to be heard.

That is the situation we have with the State Legislature reagarding the grocery sales tax bill. We in Alabama have become so disenchanted with our state government that we pay no attention to them at all. They rarely hear our voice, not because they don't listen. They don't get a chance. We fail to speak.

As a result, many times a legislator has no pressure from the home folks, or from concerned citizens. But he or she is constantly feeling the pressure or the influence of others, powerful others who have a lot of money for campaigns and meals. There is very little light cast on their votes, so it is easy to justify how they vote. But they are rarely called on to do so, unless they buck the money guys.

it is time for us to be the light that we have been called to be. Light that will illuminate the State House. Many legislators know that the grocery sales tax is horribly wrong, morally indefensible. If they must vote in the light, more of them will do the right thing.

If you don't try to make a difference because you think you can't, you are part of the problem. The time is short. Contact your legislator today and tomorrow and the next day. Get some friends to do the same.

What difference will a four percent sales tax make? Honestly, only a little. But to those who have so little, it could mean a lot; another meal for the family, medicine that had been impossible to afford; new tires for the car.

To those of us who have so much, it will be a good start.

go to www.alarise.org for contact information for your legislators.