*From 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
gradethis 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."
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.
Jamie was forgotten. Olivia won by a land slide.
Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth he offers ice cream and sixty
percent of the people react like nine year olds. They want ice cream. The
other forty percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and clean up
the mess.*
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