Monday, January 26, 2009

I scream, you scream, we ALL scream for ICE CREAM!

Who worries about cows when all we want is ice cream? The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had occurred while I was teaching third grade this year. The presidential election was pending, and some of the children showed an interest. I decided to stage an election for a class president. We would choose our nominees. They would each make a campaign speech, and then the class would vote.

To simplify the process, candidates were nominated by other class members. We discussed what characteristics these candidates should possess. Among the many nominations that came in, Jamie and Delia were chosen to run for the top spot. The class had done a good job in their selections. Both candidates were good kids. I thought James might have an advantage because his parents gave him lots of support and attention. Delia was a sweet, very attractive little girl, but I could not remember ever seeing her mother.

On the day they were to make their speeches James went first. He had specific ideas about how to make the class a better place. He told us we should all cooperate more with the teacher, do our homework carefully every day, volunteer to answer questions in class. Do extra research at the public library when possible, and ask the teacher for special help if we didn't understand an assignment, He also suggested each of us should contribute part of our allowance to a Field-Trip Fund, so we could go to museums of natural history and art, and nature centers to learn more about history and biology. He also suggested we start a Gift Fund so we could buy our teacher a really nice present at the end of the year to show our appreciation for all she had done. He ended by promising to do his very best to see that this all came about. Everyone applauded.

Then, James sat down and Delia came to the podium. Her speech was brief and asked no effort from anyone. She said, "If you vote for me, I will give you ice cream." She sat down. The class went wild. "Yes! Yes! We want ice cream."

Surely she could have said 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. James was forgotten. Delia won by a landslide.

Every time Barack Obama opened his mouth he offered "ice cream" and fifty-two percent of the people reacted like nine year olds. They want ice cream.

The other forty-eight percent of us know we're going to have to feed the cow, milk the cow, process the milk, and muck out the barn every day and likely pay for veterinary services now and then, or not only will we have no ice cream, well have no milk, cream, butter, yoghurt, or sour cream --- and not even a cow ---, if we don't take proper care of the animal.

(Thanks, R!)

z

19 comments:

shoprat said...

Sadly that is the mental level of too many Americans.

Anonymous said...

What infuriates me is being taxed to pay for the ice cream handed out to the rest of the class. I take care of myself and my family. I don't mind helping people out in hard times til they get back on their feet, but there are so many now that just live on the dole and don't give a thought to any other kind of life.

Anonymous said...

Well Z, the difference of course is, these kids are a class of eight year olds, not adults who should know better.

If we vote for what we believe is best for our country, and our future, instead of what we personally can get, the country would gain. And, that depends of course on whether we give it thought and concern.

Now, may I have a Dairy Queen ice cream cone please? I haven't had one in years!

Pris

Anonymous said...

Make mine, chocolate.

Papa Frank said...

Twist, please!!!

Brooke said...

GEEZ!

What else can I say?

goddessdivine said...

This would be a cute story if it weren't so true. I'm still dumbfounded how 52% of the voters were duped into this kind of thinking.

I.H.S. said...

Personnally, I like Sherbert.

Blessings

The WordSmith from Nantucket said...

"I scream", alright...

Average American said...

Jamie's parents are conservatives, Delia's parents-----aren't!

RightKlik said...

Great story.

Gayle said...

You really nailed it, Z! Grown ups with the mindset of children elected our President and now he's going to tell the Arab world that we aren't their enemy and everything will be just fine! Honestly, stupidity, greed and apathy has gotten us into a real mess. :(

Anonymous said...

Yes, this country has a majority of people who have no real maturity, no sense of responsibility and it starts with the head kid himself, Mr. Obama.

I have just read some excerpts of the Obama-Saudi Interview and am just absolutely disgusted.

"Can't we be friends?" "Can't we go back to being like we were 30 years ago?"

( My own phrasing but my word!)

30 years ago, Radical Islam was kicking the shah out of Iran and our citizens were being taken hostage and held for how long?

IS Obama out of his mind?
Groveling to these people?

This is what Americans wanted?
ANd by the way, I thought Obama was going to take on the number one priority and that was the economy?


I am totally disgusted by the election, if it really was one.
Some days I wonder if it wasn't all a big bad dream.


Oh, and now Obama's new treasury head is going to work on the economy. It would be so funny if it weren't so nuts.

WVDOTTR

Ducky's here said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ducky's here said...

This is what Americans wanted?
ANd by the way, I thought Obama was going to take on the number one priority and that was the economy?

---------------------

Get used to the fact that he can multitask. After eight years of can't walk and chew gum I guarantee you'll find this is better.

eagle said...

I guess I'd rather pay for ice cream than prune juice.

Tony C said...

Wow Z...that ice cream cone picture is looking pretty good! But, I already know I'm an ice cream junky. I love ice cream. I can say that because I've HAD ice cream...just like the kids in the classroom.

All Mr. Prez promised was change...but to what? That 52% may not like the flavor once they taste it.

Papa Frank said...

Multitask? More like multi-spend!!! Is anybody besides me concerned that he has already drawn up plans to spend $1,600,000,000,000?

Anonymous said...

Yes, but doesn't James sound a little priggish to anyone but me?

So Delia is an irresponsible airhead, and the class is avid for unlimited self-indulgence, but James sounds old for his years, and likely to become a martinet.

Frankly, I wouldn't vote for either.

And that's thee real trouble with this country. There are no candidates someone like me really WANTS to put in office.


~ FreeThinke