I didn't win the Powerball jackpot, but it doesn't mean I'm not filled with holiday spirit. Ho-ho-ho.
Christmas carols can help your holiday mood, unless your office Muzak station just played "Feliz Navidad" for the 912th time in the past two hours. In that case, I understand if you are looking forward to reindeer steaks on Christmas Day.
To help revive your ho-ho-ho, here are a few carols based on recent news events. The first is a tender tune to "Away in a Manger" about Porter County officials' ongoing debate over what to do with its own jackpot from the sale of Porter hospital and Porter County Treasurer Mike Bucko's own plan.
"Away in a bank vault the sale money lies.
The county won't spend it tho' everyone tries.
The interest's accruing, the poor public waits
For someone to offer them nice tax rebates.
The commission has one plan, the council says no.
While Bucko has opened a bank with the dough.
He's loaning Lake County a nice tidy pot,
Which they will repay from the funds they ain't got."
If that didn't stop you from getting your Grinch on, maybe a few fa-la-la-las will do it based on Indiana State Police Superintendent Paul Whitesell's endorsement of legalizing and taxing marijuana.
"Deck the halls with marijuana
(Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la)
If they change the law we're gonna
(Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la)
Make it legal and just tax it
(If you smoke, take a toke and you'll see)
Call your order in or fax it.
(Help the state get high on solvency)"
Did that give your nose a little glow, Rudolph? Lets turn up the wattage with "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" inspired by the Portage City Council's decision to update its ethics ordinance after Mayor James Snyder was found to have vacationed at the home of a local contractor who does business with the city.
"You better not pout, they're changing the rules
Portage found out that ethics are cool
Every time the mayor leaves town.
They're making a list of all that he's done.
If any are missed, they're still having fun
Every time the mayor leaves town.
They know where he's been sleeping
And if that house he owns.
The ordinance leaves room for doubt
But they feel it in their bones.
So, the law is unclear, but they'll get it straight
The council's sincere; they won't hesitate
As long as no one checks on them too."
Let's bring that nose to a full boil with this familiar song about the Porter Town Council's ordinance to charge for fire service.
"Jingle bells, something smells.
Your house could soon be gone.
Porter's here to save your home
We'll bill you later on. Oh...
Never fear. Sign right here.
We'll check your credit debts.
We've even got a twofer sale
On saving kids or pets."
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