3rd Grade Civics Lesson

I received the following in January 2009 from a friend and as I was reminiscing things this morning I reread it.  I posted this on July 5, 2010.  I'm reposting with some of my thoughts at the bottom.

From a teacher in the Nashville area:

We are worried about "the cow" when it is all about the "Ice Cream."

The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade this year. The presidential election was heating up and some of the children showed an interest. I decided we would have an election for a class president.

We would choose our nominees. They would make a campaign speech and the class would vote.

To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members.

We discussed what kinds of characteristics these students should have. We got many nominations and from those, Jamie and Olivia were picked to run for the top spot.

The class had done a great job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. I thought Jamie might have an advantage because he got lots of parental support. I had never seen Olivia's mother.

The day arrived when they were to make their speeches. Jamie went first. He had specific ideas about how to make our class a better place. He ended by promising to do his very best. Every one applauded. He sat down and Olivia came to the podium.

Her speech was concise. She said, "If you will vote for me, I will give you ice cream." She sat down. The class went wild.

"Yes!  Yes! We want ice cream."

Jamie was forgotten.

She surely would say more. She did not have to.  A discussion followed How did she plan to pay for the ice cream? She wasn't sure. Would her parents buy it or would the class pay for it. She didn't know. The class really didn't care. All they were thinking about was ice cream.

Olivia won by a land slide.

Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he offers ice cream

SEVENTY FIVE percent of the people react like nine year olds. They want ice cream. The other TWENTY FIVE percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and clean up the mess.

 Looking back on the last 3 years, what was promised?  Who got the ice cream and who got stuck feeding the cow and cleaning up the manure?  

Now in 2012 as we head towards the election, will the 75 percent that react like nine year olds - clamoring for the ice cream - realize that President BO has promised and delivered ice cream which was tainted with manure.  If he's elected a second time, will the amount of manure will increase exponentially!

Here are some favorite quotes extracted from my July 10, 2010 Post.

3. Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But then I repeat myself. -- Mark Twain  Fortunately Pelosi and the democrats no longer control the house.  

4. I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle. -- Winston Churchill  Hello, BO and the democrats - you need to read this one

5. A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul. -- George Bernard Shaw      Who is Paul?  The labor unions, with government employee labor unions at both the state and federal levels the biggest advocates for robbing Peter.

6. A liberal is someone who feels a great debt to his fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money. -- G. Gordon Liddy  BO reportedly gave a sandwich to a fellow classmate, that's charity.  Now he wants to steal your sandwich to give to his friends.

13. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free. -- P.J. O'Rourke  It's been passed, but isn't in effect yet, but my co-pays and deductibles have already gone up.

14. In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other. -- Voltaire  BO is the master here, steal from those that work hard and give to those that sit on the butts.

23. A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have. -- Gerald Ford  According to BO's actions, more government is the solution to everyone's problems.

Bumper sticker of the day.  

BO:  Body Odor, Barrack Obama, they both stink.