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scrooge

How Far We Have Come

by: GreyMike

Sun Dec 19, 2010 at 17:47:54 PM EST

Looking over the old Dickens Christmas tale as I do nearly every year, some of the words have taken on new meaning since November 2, with the re-emergence of certain mid-19th century "values".

Here are a couple of passages that stood out for me.

First, at Scrooge and Marley's, two gentlemen enter (boldface mine):

`Scrooge and Marley's, I believe,' said one of the gentlemen, referring to his list. `Have I the pleasure of addressing Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?'

`Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years,' Scrooge replied. `He died seven years ago, this very night.'

`We have no doubt his liberality is well represented by his surviving partner,' said the gentleman, presenting his credentials.

It certainly was; for they had been two kindred spirits. At the ominous word `liberality,' Scrooge frowned, and shook his head, and handed the credentials back.

`At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,' said the gentleman, taking up a pen, `it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the Poor and Destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.'

`Are there no prisons?' asked Scrooge.

`Plenty of prisons,' said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

`And the Union workhouses?' demanded Scrooge. `Are they still in operation?'

`They are. Still,' returned the gentleman, `I wish I could say they were not.'

`The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?' said Scrooge.

`Both very busy, sir.'

`Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,' said Scrooge. `I'm very glad to hear it.'

`Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,' returned the gentleman, `a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink. and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?'

`Nothing!' Scrooge replied.

`You wish to be anonymous?'

`I wish to be left alone,' said Scrooge. `Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned -- they cost enough; and those who are badly off must go there.'

`Many can't go there; and many would rather die.'

`If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, `they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides -- excuse me -- I don't know that.'

`But you might know it,' observed the gentleman.

`It's not my business,' Scrooge returned. `It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!'

Sometime later, Scrooge is confronted with the two grotesque children concealed beneath the Second Spirit's robe:

This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it.' cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city. `Slander those who tell it ye. Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse. And abide the end.'

`Have they no refuge or resource.' cried Scrooge.

`Are there no prisons.' said the Spirit, turning on him for the last time with his own words. `Are there no workhouses.' The bell struck twelve.

This holiday season, I wish similar portentous dreams be visited upon members of the party of Me; even Scrooge was capable of redemption in the end.

I am also most afraid of that doom-browed boy. Somehow that writing keeps reappearing.

Discuss :: (11 Comments)

Judd Gregg on Obama's tax deal

by: susanthe

Wed Dec 08, 2010 at 20:08:09 PM EST

NHPR

When the president reached out to the GOP agreed to extend tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans for the next two years. he didn't quite win over Republican Senator Judd Gregg.
"I have reservations."
Gregg says the bill is too costly because its extension of unemployment benefits will increase the deficit, though he's leaning in favor of it.

That extending the Bush tax cuts to millionaires will increase the deficit  isn't even a consideration.  Extending unemployment benefits to folks who can't find work, now that's  the problem, that's going to increase the deficit.  

Discuss :: (4 Comments)

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