Ever get into gazing at bumper stickers. We in the Bureaucrat Beat newsroom have decided that bumper stickers offer true insights into people. Take the one that says “Cut it down, burn it or graze it.” Harsh. We have determined that the person who boasts this sticker might be a tad angry, doesn’t much like classical music, possibly doesn’t read much. Mostly watches FOX news and considers himself patriotic.

On the other hand, the stickers that say, Bush: Liar and One People, One Planet might be considered thoughtful, quiet people who observe more than talk and who read The Nation, Newsweek and The New York Times. Of course, the cut it, burn it, graze it guy may very well be armed and helpful in a pinch; whereas, the One People, One Planet person may flail about in a violent confrontation. Now, we know these are gross generalities, but something to ponder.

We found ourselves pondering Mule Days last week. We were asked by a visitor to the newsroom, Why do people come here just to adore mules? We took an experimental drive down Bishop’s Main Street and came away with this – maybe some people like the chance to adopt an alter ego. You know, cowboy hat and boots, fancy pants and shirt. After all, don’t we all like to be somebody else sometimes? It’s a relief from daily routine and a chance to try on a new identity, even if it’s only for a week-end.

We received an email the other day that talked about the jillions of dollars spent by government, and the email included a list of 44 taxes imposed on us that did not exist 100 years ago, when our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had no national debt, the largest middle class in the world. What has happened?

Some of those 44 taxes slapped on us over the last century? Accounts Receivable Tax, Building Permit Tax, Cigarette Tax, Dog License Tax, Federal Income Tax (ouch!), Gasoline Tax, Hunting License Tax, Inheritance Tax, Inventory Tax, IRS Penalties, Liquor Tax, Luxury Tax, Property Tax, Social Security Tax…you get the drift.

Here was another great email. It starts out by saying that politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then campaign against them. If all the guys in Washington are against deficits, why do we have a humungous one? So, whose responsible for all of our woes? The columnist, Charlie Reese, says, let’s face it – Congress, the Senate, the President and the Supreme Court. It all adds up to 545 people. These people have the legal authority to make the decisions that create the lives we live. The columnist wrings his hands and says, “It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million can not replace 545 people who stand convicted – by present facts – of incompetence and irresponsibility.”

Makes sense to us. They’re the guys in power. What we live with is what they created – the tax code, the budget, the war, the economy, inflation. Come on, guys, undo it, already!