The poet William Stafford set himself the task of writing a poem a day. When someone asked him what he would do when his poem-of-the-day wasn't very good, he replied "I simply lower my standards." In order to increase output, the bar here is set at a low level - the point of this is to have some fun with current events and politics. I welcome contributions and comments. Now you can also follow Doggerelo on Twitter (@doggerelo). Because of continuing medical problems, I'm no longer able to post a poem-a-day. I'll continue to post poems, but at a reduced frequency, so please stay tuned.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Schumer Bill Compared to Nazi Legislation

Senators Chuck Schumer and Bob Casey co-authored a bill that would introduce various tax penalties on those who give up their US citizenship to avoid paying US taxes.  As reported in The Hill, Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform, said that

 targeting people that turn in their passports reminded him of regimes that had driven people out of the country, only to confiscate their wealth at the door.
“I think Schumer can probably find the legislation to do this. It existed in Germany in the 1930s and Rhodesia in the ’70s and in South Africa as well,” said Norquist. “He probably just plagiarized it and translated it from the original German.”
The Nazis infamously implemented a departure tax on Jews who tried to flee Germany before World War II. Schumer is Jewish.
  
Chuck Schumer’s wrote a little bill
That seeks to punish those who will
Renounce their US citizenship
to give the IRS the slip.
But Grover Norquist calls the shots, he’s
said the bill’s like those of Nazis,
who punished Jews who left their land.
Now Grover’s used to high command
And so he seems a little mean,
But in this case he’s just obscene. 

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