To: WSFAlist at keithlynch.net
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 22:25:50 -0400
Subject: [WSFA] Fw: reparations: a Libertarian speaks out
From: ronkean at juno.com
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: greyno4426 at aol.com
To: mdlp at yahoogroups.com
Date: Thu, 22 Aug 2002 04:42:31 EDT
Subject: [WSFA] [MDLP] reparations

In the latter half of the 1800s my fraternal grandparents were subjected
to
harassment and degrading treatment on account of their religious beliefs.

One particular religious practice, that of having more than one wife,
even
landed one great-grandfather in the Utah Penitentiary for eighteen
months.
Previous to that, many members of his religious group had been driven
from
their homes and even killed - all for trying to keep what they considered

God's commandments.

It is only recently that I have come to realize that I am feeling the
effects
of this persecution today even though I neither subscribe to nor practice

that religion.  When I go into a Denny's, I get lousy food and poor
service.
When I call a customer service line, I have to fight my way through
recorded
menus while continually making choices that don't exactly correspond to
my
problem.  Every April 15th the Government forces me to fill out more
forms
that I have pay stubs and which probably cost more to manufacture that I
earned.

This ancestral persecution is probably responsible for my drinking,
smoking,
and being overweight, I now realize.

Consequently I have decided to seek reparations through the national
government.  This is altogether appropriate since it was agents of the
national government that did much of the persecution.  For those of you
that
think your taxes should not go for such a payment to me for some lame
reason
like your family didn't come to this country until after mine, or they
themselves were subject to persecution because of ethnicity or religion,
I
say "too bad."  You are all equally responsible.  I am considering
exempting
Native Americans (previously known as American Indians) because, even
though
they also directly harassed my ancestors it was not on account of
religion in
the sense that we may think of it today.  Also I have to consider that
the
policy of "killing all white eyes" doesn't look all that bad in
retrospect.

Seeking reparations from Washington might not turn out to be such an easy

task.  I realize I will have to get in line with many others who have
their
hand out.  I really would like to avoid the hassle.  Therefore, I am
going to
give you the chance to pay me direct.  If enough people come through, I
will
be able to drop the idea and retire early and you need not worry about me

coming forward again.  Now as to how much you should send me:   well,
feel my
pain and then let your conscience be your guide.  In the event that I do
not
receive enough money to meet my goal of retirement, those who have
contributed voluntarily will receive coupons entitling them to discounts
at
various business establishments.

At this time, I cannot only accept cash, check, money orders, and bearer
bonds.  In the future I hope to be able to take credit cards.  In the
event
that you pay by check, please make it for an extra $25.00 to cover the
bad
check fee in case the check is no good.

I thank you for helping me overcome the limitations imposed upon me by
history.

George K. Reynolds, 21 Aug 2002

.

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