A Parrot Head is, quite simply, a committed fan of Jimmy Buffett. In part we’re called Parrot Heads because of the creative get-ups that we wear to Jimmy’s concerts… in short, it’s a cult following with traditions that outsiders would struggle to understand.
But I’ve been thinking... to ease the stress of the budget process, we could infuse the Parrot Head concept into the political process for the month of June, and for once, people in this town might become excited about the budget process. I can see it now…
In a back room, in the middle of a conference table is a margarita machine. Around the table negotiating the budget -- the Governor wearing shorts, flip flops, a blow-up floatie around his waist and a hat with sippy cups attached, the President Pro Tempore wearing a colorful bathing suit, straw hat and the loudest Hawaiian shirt you’ve ever seen (a good thing for Parrot Heads), and the Speaker wearing a pirate hat, with parrot on his shoulder and an eye patch.
The sand Rendell promised to bring in two years ago is dumped in the Capitol Rotunda. A volleyball net is set up for the lobbyists and staff, beach balls are abound on the floor of the Senate, and the House is responding to the call for “FINS UP!” (This is a standard tradition at Jimmy Buffett concerts when the song “Fins” is played and everyone clasps their hands above their heads in the form of a shark fin and leans right and left – only, we may have a problem getting the Republicans and the Democrats to lean more than one way.)
The Commonwealth Caucus sells shots of Shirley Temples (sans sales tax) poured down an ice luge, and the Capitol Press Corps doles out cheeseburgers with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and french fried potatoes…
The Lieutenant Governor hosts a limbo contest in her office, with the Attorney General and Auditor General holding the limbo stick so Cabinet officials can compete for dollars while the new gaming commissioner takes odds.
“Pirate Looks at Forty” plays in the background… “…Yes I am a pirate, two hundred years to late. The cannons don’t thunder there’s nothing to plunder… we’re over $40 billion to date…”
Come on people! Who’s with me?! Grab a sense of humor, your grass skirt and coconut bras and let’s get this budget season started with salt, lime and style!
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