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We are the Serfs

Originally Published in the Frederick News-Post

Gambling

by Marta Hummel Mossburg

OP-EDS

As many people enjoy summer vacation, elected officials will return to Annapolis for another special session to vote on how and whether to expand gambling in Maryland.

For years Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller has said gaming is the answer to the state's chronic deficits and to preventing higher taxes with almost religious fervor. So far, neither promise has proved true, mainly because the state continually spends more than it collects in taxes each year. Here is a musical response to the upcoming special session on gambling -- to the tune of "We Are the World":

There comes a time when we know we are flat broke

When politicians demand sacrifice

Mike Miller is suffering

And he says gambling will bail us out

The greatest lie of all.

We can't go on believing every day

That casinos will save our lives

We are all part of Democrats' higher plan

And the facts, you know

Money is all they need.

[Chorus]

We are their serfs, we are their children

We are the ones who pay for all of their mistakes

So let's start thinking

There's a choice we're making

We're saving all their lives

It's true we'll find a better way

If we cut them off.

Send them a piece of your mind so they know we're alive

And their terms will be shorter and cheaper

As O'Malley has shown us by running for president

So we all must give ourselves a helping hand.

[Chorus]

We are their serfs, we are their children

We are the ones who pay for all of their mistakes

So let's start thinking

There's a choice we're making

We're saving all their lives

It's true we'll find a better way

If we cut them off.

We're really down and out, and there seems no hope at all

But if we just roll the dice it's certain we will fall

We have to realize change can only come

When we reject the special session as one.

[Chorus]

We are their serfs, we are their children

We are the ones who pay for all of their mistakes

So let's start thinking

There's a choice we're making

We're saving all their lives

It's true we'll find a better way

If we cut them off.