I fear that this attitude is why so many Americans think it is "cute" for a sitting president to act like a damn fool on camera as he goes about destroying the basic structure of an America that helped defeat Nazism, then was instrumental in the rebuilding of much of Europe, ended polio, sent someone to the moon, and did so many other wonderful things.
If I ain't involved, I vote to dissolve.
An example: I once asked a very bright group of my students, (senior level Intro to Public Administration) to take a moment and consider whether local sales taxes should apply to internet sales.
They thought, discussed, and gave a unanimous, "NO."
If I ain't involved, I vote to dissolve.
Okay then. How would you describe the concept of "reasonable expectations."
They did a pretty fair job, so I followed.
Do you think a person driving a delivery truck to bring an internet purchase to you has a reasonable expectation that a passable street allows the delivery to your house?
- That a police force is there to see that thugs don't empty the van before it reaches you?
- That firefighters are available to come in case the van with your purchase catches fire?
- That an ambulance is available should a drunken person slam into the delivery van?
- That medical aid is available in case someone sprays poison on your package?
Well yes, they decided, those expectations are reasonable.
Would it cost anything to provide services to meet those expect ions?
Yes. If it involves me, it can't be free.
Would it be fair for the city or county where you live to charge the delivery companies a delivery charge for each package delivered to your house? The brick and mortar companies pay a tax to allow you to come and pick things up yourself.
There was a dead silence, broken only by a collective whisper of "Don't tax you, don't tax me, tax that fellow behind that tree."
But, they reconsidered, did some cipherin', took another vote, and chose the sales tax.
We look for reasons why Americans did such a foolishly destructive thing as electing a man like Donald Trump as president.
"Oh," you say, "it's because so many of us think it is funny to see government run as a professional wrestling show."
Maybe. Maybe the trouble began when we quit teaching civics in our high schools.
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| Ever hear the story about the father who was able to indulge his son's interest in computers because that father received an education through the GI Bill, a tax-supported benefit? |
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