Ice Cream

Got this email today, it's too bad people didn't understand this before they voted a couple of weeks ago.

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This is so true that it's just scary!! It's all about the Ice Cream

The most eye-opening civics lesson I ever had was while teaching third grade in 2008. 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 landslide.

Every time Barack Obama opens his mouth, he offers ice cream, and sixty
percent of America reacts like nine year olds. They want ice cream.

The other forty percent know they're going to have to feed the cow.