Attention

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not represent our advertisers

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

THE COW AND THE ICE CREAM

From a teacher in the Nashville area

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 classmembers.

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.

Everyone applauded and he sat down.

Now it was Olivia's turn to speak. 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 landslide. Every time Barack Obama opened his mouth he offered ice cream and 52 percent of the people reacted like nine year olds. They want ice cream.

The other 48 percent know they're going to have to feed the cow and clean up the mess."

Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone --- that they have not first taken away from someone else.

7 comments:

dogg said...

Very good analogy. Unfortunately the sheeple are just realizing this.

dogg

Chimera said...

We are feeding ALOT of cows right about now.....lazy cows that will not milk....

Craig said...

Just because you don't know the answer doesn't mean there isn't one.

There never has been, nor will there ever be. A single politician that pleases everyone.

Never vote for any politician with the expectation that they will keep campaign promises or do what the people want. They will ALWAYS do what they feel is right or are pressured to do.

Whining after the election is pointless.

Anonymous said...

yes whining after the election is pointless but voting for a man because of the color of his skin abviously get you no where!!! People didnt vote because of what he said they voted because of what he looked like and they were trying to make a point lot of good it did it just proved he shouldnt be there!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I do not remember the President promisisng anything for free. In fact, a few days ago, in a gathering, he said exactly what health care reform would cost. So take your cow analogy and stick in a place where it is relevant

Anonymous said...

If you don't know the answer, Craig, then you shouldn't be giving it away!!! How can you cut lawns without a lawnmower but you're passing out the flyers advertising you perform this service anyway?
Whining after the election makes some people feel better and makes others realize we can't afford for this to happen again.

Anonymous said...

The little girl in the analogy didn't promise ice cream for free either, but the class still voted for her. Obama said there would be no new taxes on citizens, yet suddenly now here we are facing the potential for new taxes. So the analogy is spot on, a bunch of adults voting like 9 year olds!