We've been told by the administration's words and actions that energy, healthcare, and education are the reasons we are in this depression, and reforming each of these will get us out. Apparently we don't have enough college graduates. Don't you think all of those greedy Wall Street guys who got us into this mess have college degrees? Probably most from Ivy League schools? What happened? Doesn't a college degree guarantee smarts, happiness, and a lifelong smile?
When our kids were first born Cindy and I decided we would start saving for their college expenses. Our plan - encourage them to get good grades, support them emotionally and financially as long as they are exerting a good effort, and then sit back and let them support us in our old age. Not attending college would not be an option.
Somewhere between then and now our attitude changed. If our kids somehow don't win the lottery or a multimillion dollar lawsuit, our hope is that they are happy with whatever they choose. If they decide to start their own business instead of going to college, they will have our full support. If they decide to work at Krispy Kreme or Starbucks, more power to them. For some people, attending college and incurring 100k in debt may not be the best road to happiness.
This opinion was strengthened today as I heard a report about the escalating costs of college tuition. In spite of the current recession, many colleges are increasing tuition and subsequently professors' salaries. The average salary of a university professor now stands at $90,000. Not bad for somebody who spends 8 hours/week on average teaching in the class. I realize there are other responsibilities besides indoctrinating the young whipper snappers on the beauties of communism - but really, aren't they really paid for what they do in the classroom? Not a bad gig! I think it is shameful and disgusting! Don't many universities get funds from the government? Would this make the government part owners, or part employers, of these professors? I really think they should give back part of their salaries. Either that or they should be required to pay 90% taxes for their excessive salaries. When it comes right down to it, we need to be fair - and that pay structure for that small amount of work just isn't fair. I just don't think I will be able to contribute to a broken system. Until professor salaries are reduced to a reasonable level, they aren't getting any of my money. I only hope the minimum wage will be at a decent level when my kids graduate from high school.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Ought to vs. Have to
Last week after a long 4 hour workday I was told by my wife and 9 year old daughter that I had to attend parent teacher conference for her that evening. Cindy was doing her own conferences at a different school, so it was left to me to be the responsible one. I didn't want to go. I especially didn't want to go because I was told I had to attend. If Jessica, our daughter, was a problem student, or was an idiot, I could understand why conversing with her teacher would be worthwhile. She's neither; thus, my stubborn stance. As usually happens, though, I gave in to appease the ladies in my life. It turned out to be 15 minutes of my life I will never get back.
It actually wasn't all that bad, but it made me think about stuff that I "have to" do. At this point in my life, I get more and more annoyed with the "have to's". Church meetings that should be 30 minutes but last 90; work conference calls that have to be weekly but should be monthly; school meetings that I have to attend or the teacher and principal will come to my house and kick me in the head. All of these and others should be things I ought to do, but not necessarily have to do.
Yesterday was "Earth Hour", a time when earth's residents were told they should turn off all household and business lights to save energy and show a worldwide unity of concern for the planet. I realize I "ought to" do better at saving energy by turning off lights and walking more. But everywhere I turn all I see and hear are advertisements telling me how evil I am if I don't do more. I need to be better at tracking how much I can save by being green, kind of like the United Nations. In a statement released before Earth Hour, the U.N. predicted they would save $81,000 by going dark at their complex for 60 minutes. A short time later, that amount decreased to $24,000. Finally, a more accurate prediction was released at a dollar amount of savings achieved by turning off all of the lights at the U.N. building - $102. If at first you can't be honest, make sure you are close on the third attempt.
As a family, we decided we "have to" provide a balance to all of this energy savings. We decided to turn on every light in our house, opened up every window, turned up the thermostat to 85 degrees, turned every appliance on that we could think of (dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, bread maker, oven, blender, mixer, coffee maker), and turned on every water faucet for good measure. We then built a bonfire in the backyard and had both of our cars idling for the full hour. It felt so good to achieve complete family unity. We estimate that this hour cost us at least an additional $102 on our April power bill. I'm not going to predict more than that, I'm just not into exaggeration.
My point with this story is - right now we are told we "ought to" be doing, or not doing, stuff to help save the planet. Is it out of the realm of possibility these "ought to's" will turn into "have to's"? I hope not, but at this point I wouldn't put anything past the U.N. and some of our leaders. Isn't the dream of America all about keeping your thermostat at 80 degrees just because you can? Please don't take that away from me.
It actually wasn't all that bad, but it made me think about stuff that I "have to" do. At this point in my life, I get more and more annoyed with the "have to's". Church meetings that should be 30 minutes but last 90; work conference calls that have to be weekly but should be monthly; school meetings that I have to attend or the teacher and principal will come to my house and kick me in the head. All of these and others should be things I ought to do, but not necessarily have to do.
Yesterday was "Earth Hour", a time when earth's residents were told they should turn off all household and business lights to save energy and show a worldwide unity of concern for the planet. I realize I "ought to" do better at saving energy by turning off lights and walking more. But everywhere I turn all I see and hear are advertisements telling me how evil I am if I don't do more. I need to be better at tracking how much I can save by being green, kind of like the United Nations. In a statement released before Earth Hour, the U.N. predicted they would save $81,000 by going dark at their complex for 60 minutes. A short time later, that amount decreased to $24,000. Finally, a more accurate prediction was released at a dollar amount of savings achieved by turning off all of the lights at the U.N. building - $102. If at first you can't be honest, make sure you are close on the third attempt.
As a family, we decided we "have to" provide a balance to all of this energy savings. We decided to turn on every light in our house, opened up every window, turned up the thermostat to 85 degrees, turned every appliance on that we could think of (dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, bread maker, oven, blender, mixer, coffee maker
My point with this story is - right now we are told we "ought to" be doing, or not doing, stuff to help save the planet. Is it out of the realm of possibility these "ought to's" will turn into "have to's"? I hope not, but at this point I wouldn't put anything past the U.N. and some of our leaders. Isn't the dream of America all about keeping your thermostat at 80 degrees just because you can? Please don't take that away from me.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Is It Too Much To Ask?
With all of the delinquent children running around these days some people have suggested that potential parents be required to attend parenting classes before they actually pop that bun in the oven. I'm not one for over-regulating, but I believe there is a more pressing matter that should be considered. It concerns SUVs/trucks and parking. I think parking lessons should be required of everybody before they are allowed to purchase a Hummer, Excursion, Suburban, Expedition, extended cab truck, or any similar vehicle.
How many times have you been driving through a crowded parking lot and found one open spot? Unfortunately the spot is next to an Excursion that happens to be taking up half of your space. If the driver actually knew how to park their vehicle within the lines (granted, it would be tight) you could squeeze your Smartcar in. But no, they selfishly parked at an angle that prevents anybody to park next to them. So you end up parking 3 blocks down the street and get in some unwanted exercise.
I'm not saying I could park any better. But most of these people act like they don't even care. It might take an 18-point turn to get the behemoth straight before going into the space. But I think that is the least they could do for the rest of us. These large SUV owners have single-handedly brought our globe to the verge of destruction with their gigantic carbon footprints. At the very least they could learn how to park properly before they purchase the beast. Is that too much to ask? I don't think so.
How many times have you been driving through a crowded parking lot and found one open spot? Unfortunately the spot is next to an Excursion that happens to be taking up half of your space. If the driver actually knew how to park their vehicle within the lines (granted, it would be tight) you could squeeze your Smartcar in. But no, they selfishly parked at an angle that prevents anybody to park next to them. So you end up parking 3 blocks down the street and get in some unwanted exercise.
I'm not saying I could park any better. But most of these people act like they don't even care. It might take an 18-point turn to get the behemoth straight before going into the space. But I think that is the least they could do for the rest of us. These large SUV owners have single-handedly brought our globe to the verge of destruction with their gigantic carbon footprints. At the very least they could learn how to park properly before they purchase the beast. Is that too much to ask? I don't think so.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Things that Need to Go Away - Now
1. Any commercials or billboards that use the words "bailout" or "stimulus". Why would you base your ad campaign on a word that many Americans bristle at?
2. All of the "Got Milk?" knockoffs. The original was unique and interesting. At this point, every other attempt is weak and mindless. Got Rocks? Got Dirt? Got Creativity???
3. The billboards advertising liposuction and other procedures that show a skinny lady in a bikini. Nothing screams for truth in advertising more than these do. Neither before nor after my procedure did I ever dream to look that good in a bikini.
4. Any video or photo image of Nancy Pelosi. Each time she appears on screen my wife Cindy has a brain seizure. We are frequent enough visitors to the ER because of these "Pelosi seizures" that it might become an actual diagnosis. Also, the thought of universal healthcare paid for by my wealthy friends is sounding better each day.
2. All of the "Got Milk?" knockoffs. The original was unique and interesting. At this point, every other attempt is weak and mindless. Got Rocks? Got Dirt? Got Creativity???
3. The billboards advertising liposuction and other procedures that show a skinny lady in a bikini. Nothing screams for truth in advertising more than these do. Neither before nor after my procedure did I ever dream to look that good in a bikini.
4. Any video or photo image of Nancy Pelosi. Each time she appears on screen my wife Cindy has a brain seizure. We are frequent enough visitors to the ER because of these "Pelosi seizures" that it might become an actual diagnosis. Also, the thought of universal healthcare paid for by my wealthy friends is sounding better each day.
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