1
1
1
"Well, citizens can opt to register for one of two United States. If you sign up as a citizen of the Blue United States, you agree to support social democracy. In other words, moderate progressive taxation for all citizens that's used to pay for schools, healthcare facilities, services, and infrastructure. Roads, highways, sewers, you know. You pays your taxes, and you gets your health insurance, your public schools, your freeways"
"Got it. And the others?"
"They can join the Red United States. No intrusive government. No more taxes!" The Mad Hatter sat back grinning like a Cheshire Cat.
"Um, okay," Alice ventured. "And the, um, catch?"
"No catch. Just fair pay. Pay only for what you use. No kids, no school taxes. But, you've got to fork out the full price. Got kids, pay the entire cost of educating them""$30,000 a year. Want to give the Ferrari a workout? Spend what it really costs to build the bridge or pave the turnpike. No sharing the risk with others for health insurance""if you get sick, you're in for the hundreds of thousands of greenbacks it'll cost you for a two night stay at the fee-for-service hospital. I could go on."
"Yes, indeedy, you can," Alice agreed. Frowning. "And this would work how?"
"You can create two virtual countries without a single border. Blue passport, red passport. Ante up your pooled share of taxes, and your blue passport gets you "round the board free. No taxes, red passport, pay by the mile. Either way""fair's fair. And If you want to switch teams, you just agree to new rules and get a new passport. Give it five years, and let's see how many people "live" in each country at the end of that time." The Hatter chuckled, "Make people put their money where their big mouths are, and, except for a couple of gazillionaires, I expect you'll see a lot of "immigrants' going Blue."
"You are mad," Alice muttered. "Your idea hasn't got a chance. You forgot one teeny tiny thing."
The Hatter's smile disappeared. "What?"
"Not what. Who." Alice washed down her scone with a swig of Glenfiddich. "Politicians, legislators, representatives. No gridlock, no chance for them to feed at the trough while pretending to butt heads. Get real, dude."
"Now that makes me mad!" erupted the Hatter.
Alice winked as she refilled her cup. "Yooou betcha!"
1 | 2
