“Squawk! Polly want a cracker! Polly want a cracker!”
“Okay, okay, I will get you a cracker. Listen Polly, I’ve got a problem. I have a previous commitment and can not participate at the BUHS Annual Meeting. I want you to go in my place. Is that okay?”
“Squawwwk! Okay! Okay! Okay!”
“Good. Now, you’ve overheard my conversations with other taxpayers so you already know what to say.”
“Squawwwk! Okay! Okay! Okay!”
“Good. Polly, what are you going to do if someone wants to cut the BUHS budget?”
“Squawwwk!
“That’s right. Now, let’s be specific. How are you going to respond if someone proposes that the BUHS budget be reduced?”
“Squawwwk! ….. budget is responsible ….. Squawwwk! …… budget is sensitive to taxpayers ….. Squawwwk! ….. budget good budget ….. Squawwwk! ….. budget scrutinized item by line item ….. Squawwwk! ….. budget essentially level funded ….. Squawwwk! …… budget cut thousands before made public ….. Squawwwk! ….. budget 99% fixed expenses ...... Squawwwk! ….. budget not problem if have universal health care ….. Squawwwk! ….. budget has nothing to do with money ….. Squawwwk! ….. budget about future of your children ….. Squawwwk!”
“Good for you Polly! As a parrot you have mastered the required school budget clichés. I am very proud of you. Thank you so much for helping me out. You don’t know how good it will feel to give the high school the bird. Now, is there anything I can do for you Polly?”
“Squawwwk! ….. get the BUHS budget! ….. get the BUHS budget!”
“Polly, why do you want me to get the BUHS budget?”
“Squawwwk! ….. need to poop! ….. need to poop! ….. Squawwwk!