Suppose you went to Best Buy to pick out a new home stereo system. After mulling over the options, you picked out the one you want, bought it, and went home all excited about setting it up. When you got home, you look at your receipt and discover that they have overcharged your card by $1,300 (!!!!)
Okay, mistakes happen. You hop back in the car, drive back to Best Buy, and show them the receipt. The manager agrees that he has charged you more than the stereo was worth. In lieu of giving you your money back, however, he offers you a $100 store coupon and a promise to use the rest of your money to give you unspecified better service in the future.
Would you be pissed?
Welcome to Tennessee.
Whoa! Here in the Old North State (aka Tarheel State, aka Variety Vacationland, aka Good Roads State), we're usually in the hole so they haven't had the chance to shaft us to that degree. That hasn't stopped state dem's from going to jail for other things, however.
ReplyDeleteOkay, yeah. That pisses me off. Anything else I could say about it right now would be full of expletives, so I'm going to spare your comment section and just quit while I'm ahead.
ReplyDeletePissed? You betcha! And depending on the condition of the manager, probably looking at doing 5 - 25 in the state pen. ;)
ReplyDeleteY'all pull me off him quick!
Šhard
Problem is, Anon, there are a whole shitload of "managers". Claire, is it nearly time yet?
ReplyDeleteIt's even worse here in the State of Montana...we've overpaid to the tune of $2,500 per person.
ReplyDeleteProblem is, the food tax cut is inherently redistributive. Tennessee's tax structure is so chaoric that it's impossible to determine whence came the "overpayment".
ReplyDeleteBut don't worry, it will be used as usual- to reward those able to convince the legislators that their ability to deliver votes next time should be paid for in advance. (My "guess" is teachers and state employees.)
This is a good test of the new "Republican" Senate. Will they stand in the way, or accept the pleasures of at last having some influence on who gets a shot at the trough?
If they decided to use it to pay down debt, that would be one thing. Increasing spending is another thing altogether.
ReplyDeleteOddly enough...
ReplyDeleteAs of December 31, 2006 general obligation debt outstanding was $1,176,965,000 in bonds and $103,810,000 in commercial paper.
Could be worse, you could go to Burger King and get charged over $8600 for your order.
ReplyDeleteBad simile.
ReplyDeleteHaving an armed robber take $1300 from you, and then offer to mail you a c-note if you don't go to the police would be closer.