Round ‘em up, head ‘em out

March 27, 2013

By James Burbank

New Mexico roundup reminds state of the old Southwest

It’s the end of the year and time to think about paying our taxes. Albuquerque’s Mayor Richard Berry and his city government cohorts are entering citizens’ homes this New Year to drive them out and over to Civic Plaza where they will be gathered for the First Annual New Mexico Taxpayer’s Roundup.

State government buckaroos will drive the taxpayers up I-25 and La Bajada hill to the State Roundhouse where they will be personally inspected by Governor Susana Martinez.

“We’ll let the fat ones go,” says Martinez, “And we’ll brand the middle class ones .The homeless and the ones too skinny to assess, we’ll just eat ‘em,” The Governor’s Banquet will serve up those unable to pay into the state coffers in a grand celebration attended by all of New Mexico’s state legislators.

Tourists will flock to New Mexico this spring to see the festive event and snap pictures all along the roundup route linign the roadway up La Bajada from Albuquerque to Santa Fe. Film makers from out of state will also shoot the event and collect their New Mexico tax deductions, rebates, and refunds personally delivered by the governor who will shake hands and thank them for contributing to our economy.

“We look forward to witnessing this revival of an old tradition so reminiscent of the days when ranchers drove their cattle north along the old Santa Fe Trail,” says Arnold Finkwater, New York resident. “We flew all the way here to see this. It should be really something.

This piece was written by:

James Burbank

James Burbank has written and published over 200 articles for regional and national publications such as Reuters International News Service, The World & I Magazine, National Catholic Reporter, Farmer’s Almanac, Los Angeles Herald Examiner, La Opinion, New Mexico Magazine, Albuquerque Journal, Albuquerque Tribune. He is author of Retirement New Mexico, the best selling book published by New Mexico Magazine Press, now in its third edition. He is also author of Vanishing Lobo: the Mexican Wolf in the Southwest, published by Johnson Books.

As a professional writing consultant, he has written and edited publications, video and radio scripts, annual reports, and investment information for a wide variety of corporate clients. A Lecturer II for the Department of English, Burbank has specialized in teaching technical writing and professional writing. His interests extend from composition and writing theory to environmental and nature writing. He has played a leadership role in developing and implementing the English Department’s teaching mentorship program.