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, July 10, 2012

Tax the Atheists


Right-wingers have reacted to the Supreme Court decision on the Affordable Care Act with a reductio ad absurdum approach. Allen West, who can always be counted on for goofiness, has proposed forcing everyone to buy a Glock 9 mm handgun or pay a tax.  And Bryan Fischer, an evangelical talk radio host, has taken up a listener's suggestion for a federal mandate to attend church coupled with a tax on those who don't.  Fischer explains, "Because after all, Obamacare is all about improving the health of the American people. We know that going to church is good for you, it's good for your health. So we are going to mandate that you go to church for your own health and we are going to tax the atheists who don't go to church."  This is the broccoli argument taken to ridiculous extremes, although there's probably more evidence that eating broccoli is good for the nation's health than there is for church attendance. [Poetic form:  Rispetto]

 

The right-wing nutters have declared.

Attending church is good for you.

If you refuse, then be prepared,

A hefty tax you will accrue

 

A gun is good for you as well

So buy one now and you'll be swell,

But if on guns you take a pass

Then once again they'll tax your ass.


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