“No. They was a little fella, an’ he says, ‘What you mean, relief?’ “ ‘I mean relief—what us taxpayers put in an’ you goddamn Okies takes out.’ “ ‘We pay sales tax an’ gas tax an’ tobacco tax,’ this little guy says. An’ he says, ‘Farmers get four cents a cotton poun’ from the gov’ment—ain’t that relief?’ An’ he says, ‘Railroads an’ shippin’ companies draws subsidies—ain’t that relief?’ “ ‘They’re doin’ stuff got to be done,’ this deputy says. “ ‘Well,’ the little guy says, ‘how’d your goddamn crops get picked if it wasn’t for us?’ ’’ The tubby man looked around. “What’d the deputy say?’’
...more