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Money in Politics
In response to a recent quote about the inevitability of money in
politics, reader Bill S. Lee said: “The greediest among us
care the least about what is left behind when they are gone (until
they reach the door that is). Thus it falls to the rest of us to
keep them from using their money to purchase political office for
their candidates. A society (country) that cannot find a way to
shake its money tree hard enough to let the leaves reach the ground
is doomed to fail.”
Elusive Lyrics
Good-natured reader Gordon Jones wrote to say, in response
to a flippant comment about finding the lyrics to Louie, Louie:
“If you come up with ALL the words to Louie, Louie, you will
have done what no one else has been able to do.” Any readers out
there up to the challenge?
May You Skin Your Knee . . .
Policy Daily reader Jim Higbee sent along the
following, from a Paul Harvey commentary. It’s worth thinking
about as we lavish gifts upon our children this Christmas season.
“We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we sometimes
made them worse. For my grandchildren, I'd like better.
“I'd really like you to know about hand me down clothes and homemade
ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches. I really would.
“I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash
the car.
“And I really hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are
sixteen.
“It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born
and your old dog put to sleep.
“I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe
in.
“I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother/sister.
And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of
the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because
he's scared, I hope you let him.
“When you want to see a movie and your little brother/sister wants
to tag along, I hope you'll let him/her.
“I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and
that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
“On rainy days when you have to catch a ride, I hope you don't
ask your driver to drop you two blocks away so you won't be seen
riding with someone as uncool as your Mom.
“If you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make
one instead of buying one.
“I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
“When you learn to use computers, I hope you also learn to add
and subtract in your head.
“I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first
crush on a boy\girl, and when you talk back to your mother that
you learn what Ivory soap tastes like.
“May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on
a stove and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
“I don't care if you try a beer once, but I hope you don't like
it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize
he is not your friend.
“I sure hope you make time to sit on a porch with your Grandma/Grandpa
and go fishing with your Uncle.
“May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.
“I hope your mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through
your neighbor's window and that she hugs you and kisses you at Hanukkah/Christmas
time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
“These things I wish for you -- tough times and disappointment,
hard work and happiness. To me, it's the only way to appreciate
life.
“Written with a pen. Sealed with a kiss. I'm here for you. And
if I die before you do, I'll go to heaven and wait for you.”
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