Bob's Backyard

A perspective from a teacher and a class of students in Nashville:

THE COW AND THE ICE CREAM

ONE OF THE BEST EXPLANATIONS OF WHY OBAMA WON THE ELECTION AND IS PUSHING FOR HIS HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION:

“We are worried about “the cow” when it is all about the “Ice Cream”

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 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. Everyone applauded and he sat
down.

Now is 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 knew 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.