I was born on his birthday. He was a wonderful guy. He soon became my guardian. He was a very powerful man and it was kind-of cool that he was part of my life. He wanted to make sure he was on top of everything. He decided to get involved in my education. He would come into town and boss the school board around and even slip them money to make sure they were teaching me the way he wanted. He even wanted to help pay for my lunch. As I got older it was sort-of assumed I couldn’t get by without him. And I did depend on him. But we all started wondering, “where did he get all that power and money?” Soon we started to get this vague notion that Uncle had some bad habits. It seemed like he might be getting money from other people-you know people who already have enough. When I started my first job he quietly told my employer how much he had to pay me and how to treat me. But when I got my first paycheck some of the money was missing. I looked and Uncle had garnished my wages. Seems he had other nephews now that need help and “I won’t even miss it” and he thought he should save some of it for me in case I ever needed it. As time went on he took more and more money. I don’t think he was banking it. He was starting to look very sick-and gross-and fat. I was pretty sure he was using it to feed some very addictive habits. It was now obvious we had a co-dependant relationship. I was pretty sure I could get by without much help from him if he would just stop taking and interfering all the time but he wasn’t about to let me alone. He was showing up in every aspect of my life. He is now getting creepier and I want out but it isn’t that easy. He is sure I need him. But I now know I am his enabler and if I love him I am going to have to exhibit some tough love. Since he seems to be able to take what he wants the only thing I know to do is to work less so there is less money available. I also need to find others who he is “helping” and convince them he isn’t doing them any good.

By now you know my uncle’s name, Sam. (and I was born on the fourth of July.) Here’s what I’m doing to cut the apron strings:

Working less so he can collect less taxes.
Using a Tracfone-less taxes there.
Buying less-less revenue for Government untill they get smaller.
Giving more to those who don’t get government help-churches and missions.
I think we will all have to sacrifice and live simply now in order to force a smaller government or have it forced on us later under their terms.

I do have six wonderful uncles who have been good examples. Two have passed on.

An afterthought: Maybe I sould have entitled it “My D’Keynesian Uncle” rather than Dickensian

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