My first ever such trip was in Week One of 1994. A really generous gal I once dated got us tickets to the game. I was geeked. It was Warren Moon's first game as starter for the Vikings, and I was convinced we would have a great team. Suffice it to say, Moon played terribly, throwing three INTs, and the Vikings lost 16-10. It was just Brett Favre's third year as starter for the Packers. Come to think of it, it was my first time going to an away Vikings' game (other than at the Silverdome). Other than the outcome of the game, I had a blast, and even got to meet Bob Lurtzema.
(The forgotten Purple People Eater.)On the way back to the car, I made the foolish mistake of stopping to use the facilities. Quite obviously, my horns and braids were not very popular in the Lambeau Field restroom, and several people let me know it. I took the good natured ribbing, and stepped up when it was my turn. While I was relieving myself, a drunken Packers' fan stepped up, out of line, and grabbed me by the shoulder and threw me down. This caused me to urinate all over myself, as I fell on my back. I quickly drew my pants and made out of there, as I did not want to engage in fisticuffs. That would surely end in police involvement, because I was very angry.
As I scurried away, I came upon a group of forlorn, shame-faced Vikings' fans, who were gathered around their car. One of them blew a horn at me, and motioned for me to come over. As I approached, another guy handed me a beer, and we comisserated for a while. I remember how good it felt, walking up to them, as I would soon get to share my frustration with like-minded people. "Man that Warren Moon sucks!," he said. "Have you ever seen Cris Carter drop so many balls?," asked another. I thanked them for the beer, shook my head, and moved on.
* * *
Yesterday was tax day. And, like many Americans, I decided it would be a good idea to attend my local, so-called "Tea Party" here in Lansing. It was held in front of the State Capitol, which is about 2 1/2 miles from my home. I had previously attended the earlier "Tea Party," and I heard it was going to attract many more people this year.I also couldn't help myself, since I am a hate-filled automoton, who only watches Fox News, and listens to talk radio all day long.
Also, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get Bella out for a walk. It would have been faster for us to walk the 2 1/2 miles from my house to the Capitol, as, even though I left more than thirty minutes ahead of time, there was nowhere to park. We ended up walking nearly one mile to get there. Bella was happy to make such a walk, as all the people, with their signs and all the traffic was interesting and exciting.When we arrived in front of the event, there were already thousands of people there. The crowd was nearly 5,000.
I had never been to a full-out protest before. I had seen them at Michigan State, but I had never been in the middle of one. And then it hit me, I had gone there, not to just be part of the crowd, but to comisserate with like-minded people, and share my frustrations at out-of-control government spending.I recently formed my own business, and had just written a check to "U.S. Treasury" that I could barely afford to pay.
If you own your own business in Michigan these days, you pay 28% to the feds, 15% for Social Security (also Uncle Sam) 4% to the State of Michigan, and 1% to the City of Lansing. And for what? What do I get out of it?
For years, I have joked about how someone should have to pay for that new fancy school they built in my backyard, that all the kids I don't have aren't going to.
But seriously, what's in it for me?
The city rarely plows my street, my car has gotten keyed, and people stole my flags right off my flagpole. But then, arabs don't fly into some building I'm in and kill me, so I guess I got that going for me.
But roughly, I have confiscated $0.48 of every dollar I work and travel very hard for, and for what?
* * *
Meanwhile, back in 1994 Green Bay, I finally arrived back at the car. The father and son, who were tailgating next to us, we relishing in their precious Packer's victory. As I reached in our now-empty cooler, I heard the father remark to his son, "Son!, my dad gave me these Packers' tickets, and someday, I will give them to you."'
"Aw, thanks Dad," the son sighed. The worst part about it was, the son was in his forties. Or maybe just his beer belly and tired face made him look in his forties. In any case, this Taster's Choice moment between guys made me want to puke.
* * *
Back at the rally, the speaker announced that everyone was to take out their cellphones, and we were all going to call the capitol switchboard and tell them what we thought about out-of-control government spending. I decided I would not call, since obviously that amount of calls placed at the same time would not work. I have been to many MSU tailgates in the past. Whilewe rarely beat Michigan, everyone takes out their phone and calls their third-cousin they never talk to to tell them we just beat Michigan.
In any case, as I watched everyone doing this, I felt the same sense of pride I felt back in 1994 Green Bay. Only this time, for a short part of the afternoon, WE were the home team. After several more chants of "U.S.A. U.S.A.!" and so on, none other than Joe The Plumber himself rose to the podium. He gave his usual shpiel, and was rushed away, as I am sure he had several other such events around the country to attend.
After I talked with several people there, I figured I had better go back home and finish typing some reports for work. After all, I had work to do. If I didn't earn all that money that the government was stealing from me, what would be the point? And, no Vikings' fans were offering me a beer, so Bella and I went home. She was becoming frightened by the crowd and the noise. I didn't figure a fearsome pitbull would get scared, but she was. I, too was scared, at how I was going to pay for my tax bill. I took a bunch of pictures:
* * *
Back in 1994 Lambeau Field, I was ushered back in the car. My disappointment at Warren Moon's poor performance, and the Vikings' loss were falling on deaf ears. I had spent so much time, and some money at attending this event, and no one seemed to care, save for the few Vikings' fans I had met.
* * *
Part Two Coming Soon! !
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