>> From a teacher in the Nashville area.
>>
>> "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 that 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 for their speeches arrived.
>>
>> 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 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.
>>
>>
>> This is the ice cream Obama promised us!
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Remember, the government cannot give --anything to anyone -- that they
>> have
>> not first taken away from someone else.
>>
>> Did you vote for the ice cream?
>>
>> Remember this: November 2, 2010 is Take Out the Trash Day!
him like a 9 year old
