Ms. Smarty Pants Know It All

The explosion of the space shuttle Challenger was my very first “where were you when” moment.

My 5th grade class was taking a test when the principal pulled us all into the lunchroom. There was a TV set up and we all sat on the floor. They didn’t explain or say anything. They just started playing a tape.

“Awesome,” I thought. “We’re going to watch the space shuttle and skip the test.” Then came the utter confusion of those streams of white. One kid screamed, but I didn’t get it right away. I don’t remember the adults’ exact words but I eventually understood that it had blown up. No discussion. No context. Just the announcement.

We filed back silently into our room, sat down in our seats, and took back up our pencils to finish the test. I was young, but even then, I knew everything about that morning was messed up.

Do you remember your story?

Tags: History, Life by Ms. SP
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Fifty years ago yesterday, these famous words were delivered: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

Well truthfully, I don’t feel I have done a lot for my country. Sure I pay my taxes and vote, but I have not really had to sacrifice or serve or endure hardships for the security and prosperity of my country.

There have been a few economic downturns but I’ve gotten through them (/knock wood). I’ve also lived through several wars with very little inconvenience. (Frankly, that just seems ridiculous to me.)

But now, our country is broke. Our states are broke. Our cities are broke.

By all accounts, the 2% Illinois income tax increase is going to go through soon. According to the numbers, this tax increase, which is scheduled to go for four years, will give us a surplus by the end of that time. Our $13 billion deficit will be erased.

No, it’s not a perfect solution, but it is one that can work. Can’t we just stop arguing and whining and just do this? It’s an extra 2% of my income.

This time, I’m willing to sacrifice.

Let us be brave. Let us be stalwart. Let us leave the next generation of leaders a new start and an even ground instead of a hole.

We, the citizens of Illinois, need to insist that all subsequently elected legislators hold spending and cut costs where they can. No increases in spending. Reductions as we go. And yes, they can have the increased collection of revenue.

It’s four years. Surely we can do this.

In a democracy, we always get the government we deserve and to stand around pointing fingers is meaningless. We all let the debt happen. We were too busy. We were too lazy. We were too apathetic.

We didn’t want to try.

Now, we can actually solve this problem with relatively little effort. If we can really hold additional spending (meaning no new programs), we won’t even have to do any work. It’s sit around and let the math work itself out.

Yes, 2% will hurt. But it will hurt a whole heck of a lot more later.

Tags: Governance, Life, Politics by Ms. SP
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What should I do this year? Ah yes, “spend less, save more, lose weight, blah, blah, blah.”

1. This is the 150th anniversary year of the American Civil War. That’s my bread-and-butter event as a history nerd. I’m looking forward to it, although I am not looking forward to what will surely be the political gamesmanship that will go on rather stupidly both in and through the media.
2. I’m going to restart my quest for 100 push ups.
3. What’s in a Name Reading Challenge: Only six books, but I barely finished last year. I have to designate earlier and keep to my list this year. It’s easy to get sidetracked and forget the categories.
4. I need to continue reading interesting books and watching interesting movies.
5. Even more seriously than all of the above, I really must get my career path figured out. I have options and ideas swirling around, and I really should just make some decisions.

I am extraordinarily blessed to just have to deal with these mundane matters and not have to take on any real, pressing emergencies. I am truly grateful. May we all have health, adventure, and prosperity for 2011!

Tags: Books, Life by Ms. SP
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