Who pays the Piper?

I remember at sixteen thinking how much more I knew about the world than my parents. Afterall, they had to drop out of highschool to look after thier families. How could someone who knew nothing of the theory of pythagorus, know more about the world than me. Once I moved out and began life on my own, I became aware of how naive I really was. Simple things like the actual cost of living expenses were alien to me. I soon found out that I could not have all the things I wanted, and eat too. I learned how easy it is too get a credit card, but also how scary it is to have creditors calling you, with an endless littany of threatening speeches. Yet, the powers that be, in their infinite wisdom, have seen fit to given a 16 year old kid total control over their lives. We know from past experience, that teenagers more often than not, make decisions based on what seems good at the momment. Thats not to say that there is anything wrong with that. They do not have the vast amount of past experience that we have to draw on. After all, at 16 you should be able to make decision, and start working towards independence. However, to allow them to make life changing mistakes without any input from those who care most about there future, is nothing short of child abuse. To hammer home the point, a sixteen year old cannot be tried in an adult court. However, a sixteen year old, can quit school, take drugs, move out with thier boyfriend/girlfriend, and the parents must sit by and wait for the train wreck. Nothing is as scary, and as heart wrenching.Meanwhile the department of social services is waiting with a fist full of our tax dollars to put them up in an apartment, and pay them a living allowance.After the dust settles, when the child drops out of school, gets pregnant, and is forced onto the welfare system, it is the taxpayer who sufferes the consequences.According to the government, you are responsible for your child until he/she reaches the age of 18, and in some cases beyond. However, a child who reaches the age of 16, is not obliged to follow any parental, or household rules.This is the ultimate oxyMORON.

“Pee” or get off the “pot”

As a parent of three teenagers, I am very concerned about the amount of drugs in our school system. Drug dealers seemingly go about our community practicing their trade, with little fear of any repercussions, legally or from the parents of the kids to whom they sell these drugs. Despite the fact that almost everyone in the community knows who these individuals are, and no doubt relayed to the police, no formal charges are ever laid. The police never seem to have difficulty gathering evidence on a person who peddles the odd bottle of contra banned alcohol or tobacco.
Why is it then that the scum of our community seem untouchable to the police? Occasionally, the police will parade a bust in front of the TV cameras, with enough drugs to sink a ship. But the guy who sells a dozen Ecstasy pills is laughing his way to the bank. The notion seems to be, go after the big fish. News flash! Its not working! maybe its time to go after the little fish. When there are no little fish left, the big fish have nobody to sell their dope. I believe schools should institute Random drug testing. If a student tests positive, charges laid, and a severe enough punishment to deter a recurrence. Non of this probation crap either. Probation offers only bragging rights to the would be “hard ass” teenager. After all it is an illegal activity. This came as a surprise to my 15 year old who truly believed it was only against the law to sell it, and not have it in your possession. It’s time they got an education. Maybe it is an invasion of privacy. So is law bidding citizens having to register non restricted firearms. So is body scanners at airports. Privacy invasion is a sad but realistic part of our culture. maybe we should be going after the criminals for a change

Eulogy for common sense

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault. Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition. Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live, as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault. Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights, I Want It Now, Someone Else Is To Blame, and I’m A Victim.Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him, pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.