How Far We've Come

[Kashesan]

While walking through a small park the other day, I noticed a young man on roller blades with a dog on a leash. (This, and especially people who ride bikes with dogs on a leash, seems to me, almost the equivilant of dragging the dog behind a car, tied to the rear bumper)
ANYWAY, this guy was being good, going very slow, the dog was young and actually pulling him along. The man had a plastic bag or two to pick up the poopies, and was rolling along with a load in one of them.

What, I wondered, would Lizzie or one of her Victorian contemporaries make of this?

Lizzie (peering into the Camera Obscura): My, what a lovely day. Oh, is that a person on some kind of wheely-thing?

Kash: What are you looking at? Oh, yes. Those are called 'roller blades"

Lizzie (continuing to peer, making an evaluation): How very clever. Oh, there's a Jack Russell Terrier with him. Look!

Kash: Very cute. Theyre my favorite.

Lizzie (smiling fondly): Oh they are playful! What has that the young man in his hand?

Kash: That's a plastic bag

Lizzie: A bag? For his lunch?

Kash: Er, not exactly

Lizzie: Oh, then for the dog's lunch?

Kash; No. We have public health ordinances that require dog walkers to, er, pick up after the dog. The plastic bags are for the dog's...leavings

Lizzie (understanding): I see. How very sensible.
She continues to peer into the Camera Obscura and then turns to Kash.

Lizzie: So, one hundred years into the future, people will be rolling around on wheels carrying bags full of...

Kash: Shit. Yes, Lizzie. We will be rolling around the Public Gardens with little bags of shit.

Lizzie turns away from the Camera and covers it with a green velvet cloth.

Lizzie (with subtle, but definate sarcasm): You are quite advanced in the 21st Century. "Roller blades" and all. I so envy you...

kash

[theebmonique]

That was GREAT Kash ! VERY GOOD ! I can imagine Lizzie responding in just that way.

You should consider doing a "Conversations with Lizzie" kind of thing for the Hatchet.


Tracy...

[Harry]

LOL, good stuff Kash!

For those not familiar with Kash's humorous writings check out her "I Love Lizzie" items in the writer's corner in the Virtual Library:

http://www.lizzieandrewborden.com/WritersCorner.htm

[theebmonique]

Thank you Harry. I am such a dork. I should remember to check there now and then.


Tracy...

[Kashesan]

LOL, good stuff Kash!

For those not familiar with Kash's humorous writings check out her "I Love Lizzie" items in the writer's corner in the Virtual Library:

http://www.lizzieandrewborden.com/WritersCorner.htm

Thanks Tracy and Harry! I had to offer something in honor of Miss Lizzie's birthday! Good to to back!
(Harry, are you coming to Fall River next month?)

kash

[Harry]

(Harry, are you coming to Fall River next month?) kash

Yes, indeedy. Going to stay in Bridget's room. Just don't call me Maggie and whatever you do don't call me down because there was a murder.

See ya then!

[Kashesan]

Great, Harry! I'll try not to "Halloo" too loud up the back stairs when I visit the house. (A little after 11 am. I'm going to enter the Chair Fainting Contest...)

kash

[Susan]

Good one, Kash! And good to see you around these parts again.

[Kat]

Yay Kash! And a Happy Birthday To Lizzie too!
THat was hilarious!

[Elizabelle]

That made for a good laugh!



I often do wonder what Lizzie would think of this 21st century world of ours.

If I had a choice, I would prefer to forever stay in the 19th century. Of course, I'm not one for progress.

The Amish have the right idea, in my opinion!

[RayS]

That made for a good laugh!



I often do wonder what Lizzie would think of this 21st century world of ours.

If I had a choice, I would prefer to forever stay in the 19th century. Of course, I'm not one for progress.

The Amish have the right idea, in my opinion!

I don't believe you want to live when women had no vote and other restrictions. No vitamins or antibiotics?
Nothing personal, but you could join a group that lives like that today.

[Elizabelle]

That made for a good laugh!



I often do wonder what Lizzie would think of this 21st century world of ours.

If I had a choice, I would prefer to forever stay in the 19th century. Of course, I'm not one for progress.

The Amish have the right idea, in my opinion!

I don't believe you want to live when women had no vote and other restrictions. No vitamins or antibiotics?
Nothing personal, but you could join a group that lives like that today.

I have always had a desire to become Amish and everything it entails. I have a deep respect for them and their convictions.

As for being stuck in the 19th century, I would love it; no matter what rights I have to give up in order for it to be possible.

Unfortunately, a time machine hasn't been invented yet. Until then, I'll sit around complaining about the 21st century and twiddling my thumbs!

[Shelley]

Here's an eyeopener. These are all taxes today which did not exist in Lizzie's day. And they call this progress.
Not one of these taxes existed 116 years ago:


> Accounts Receivable Tax
> Building Permit Tax
> CDL License Tax
> Cigarette Tax
> Corporate Income Tax
> Dog License Tax
> Federal Income Tax
> Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
> Fishing License Tax
> Food License Tax
> Fuel Permit Tax
> Gasoline Tax
> Hunting License Tax
> Inheritance Tax
> Inventory Tax
> IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax),
> IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax),
> Liquor Tax,
> Luxury Tax,
> Marriage License Tax,
> Medicare Tax,
> Property Tax,
> Real Estate Tax,
> Service charge taxes,
> Social Security Tax,
> Road Usage Tax (Truckers),
> Sales Taxes
> Recreational Vehicle Tax,
> School Tax,
> State Income Tax,
> State Unemployment Tax (SUTA),
> Telephone Federal Excise Tax,
> Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax,
> Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Tax,
> Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax,
> Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax,
> Telephone State and Local Tax,
> Telephone Usage Charge Tax,
> Utility Tax,
> Vehicle License Registration Tax,
> Vehicle Sales Tax,
> Watercraft Registration Tax,
> Well Permit Tax,
> Workers Compensation Tax.

[FairhavenGuy]

Actually, Shelley, I wouldn't dismiss all of those taxes as not being around in Lizzie's day.

Certainly Massachusetts had real estate and personal property taxes going back to colonial days.

As soon as Fairhaven separated from New Bedford and incorporated as a town in 1812, we had a tax collector, Ebenezer Akin.

In those days people were taxed on their personal belongings, including furniture. There was a tax on gold and silver watches, which were items of great value back then.

In the 1700s, residents of Massachusetts towns were taxed to pay for the town's (required) minister.

Beginning in the early 1800s, with the district school system, residents were taxed for the building and maintaining of the local schoolhouse and the hiring of a teacher.

Until the mid 1800s there was a toll (tax) to cross the Fairhaven-New Bedford Bridge.

What you posted looks to be somebody's Internet list, and not something that is based on actual research of what state and local taxes and fees someone in Fall River would pay in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.

[Shelley]

Yes, someone sent me this list today as a general across the board list. And I am sure there were plenty of regional or local taxes on some of the specifics you have listed which were pertinent to a town or city in the "good old days", the horse tax in Fall River which compelled Andrew to unload his nag and buggy for one. Still, I think I will take then rather than now if i could.
I am still waiting for the toll to come off the Newport Bridge- something else we have been promised for decades.