“The Police State” Brought to you by . . .

So now it happens that Cook County (for those of you outside of Illinois, better known as Crook County) has a corporate sponsor for the real estate tax bills sent out. The ad is right there on the tax bill. Chase Bank is offering a $!00 savings on who knows what. Wouldn’t want to waste my time finding out. My first reaction was, Well, now fascism has no shame. It’s right in the open. But some of my libertarian colleagues see nothing wrong. After all, this is saving taxpayers money holding down the mailing costs. But the marriage is insidious. If you look at the long run, how the marriage of big corporations and government has snuffed out the small businessman, especially at the state level where the big boys are given the tax breaks and everyone else has to make up the difference, by allowing this to happen, one is basically waving the white flag. We will never get to have equal opportunity under the law as long as this type of thing is allowed. Enforcing the 14th Amendment would go much further in reducing our taxes than an advertised corporate mailing does.

But I do see the trend. Not in the too distant future, . . .

Swat-team raid funded by the GEO Group, the leader in private prison administration. “Constitution? We don’t need no stinkin’ Constitution.”

Front yard gardening citation sponsored by Scotts. Green lawns, forever. “Bastions of sameness--It’s the American way.”

Your income tax bill sponsored by H&R Block. “Compliance is a virtue.”

Prison Tortures Reality TV, brought to you by Erotic Leathers, Inc.

"Public Education": Molding students to obedience, compliance and dutiful citizenship since 1642, brought to you by the National Federation of School Boards, with additional sponsorship by the NEA.

Domestic drone attacks sponsored by Northrup Grumman “Because there is a potential terrorist lurking behind every rock.”

This five-mile backup brought to you by the Road Construction Guild of America. Stimulizing America. “You want jobs? We got jobs!”

This limited gun confiscation sponsored by the Brady Center. “Don’t worry. It’ll never happen here.”

“Middle East Bombings, Live!”sponsored by the Military Industrial Complex, Dick Cheney, honorary chairman, hosted by Charles Krauthammer.

Red light ticket citations backed by American Traffic Solutions, your source for red light surveillance since 1984. “You’re on candid camera!”

This Excessive Energy Use citation sponsored by Solar Solutions, Inc. “Who said you can’t tax the sun?”

Uninsured motorist citation sponsored by State Farm Insurance. “State farms were a great idea, State farm Insurance even better.”

“Public Canings of Recalcitrant Teens” brought to you by the Imperial Cane and Strap Co., makers of the finest rattan canes imported from Singapore, when flexibility and sturdiness are required for maximum effect. Tested by the Saint Catherine’s Sisters of the Poor Convent.

Mandatory yearly vaccinations sponsored by the Big Pharma Guild.. FDA Approved,. Liability exempted. “It’s for your own good.”

This printing-press run brought to you by Goldman Sachs. “We know bailouts.”

Dutiful Evaluation of the Aged in Terminal Health (DEATH) Panel, formulated by the Heritage Foundation, Romney/Obama sub group, “After all, you’ve already had a wonderful life.”

As this all becomes reality, we might as well bring this idea to full fruition. As some have already observed, here is an idea whose time has come: mandatory Nascar-style jackets worn by all elected politicians sporting the brands to which they are all beholden. Oh, what a lovely sport.