Rich People and Politicians

With a title like that, you'll probably want to skip this if you're not political...

OK, so a few years ago, I started a tiny Coverdell account for each of the boys. At the time, Coverdell accounts were a maximum contribution of $2000 a year per child, but there were no financial penalties with them, and the entire fund could be used for ANY kind of education. Even K-12.

So, say you live in an area where you have good elementary schools. But around middle school, it gets a little hairy. You want to put your kids in, say, Catholic school, but you wouldn't be able to afford the tuition monthly. This would be a way for you to save every month toward that.

In other words, I could see this as a great tool for upwardly mobile lower to middle class families in urban environments.

The amount of money you can save wouldn't go anywhere near the Haverford Schools of the world (the schools I'm surrounded by, here in Boboland).

So, why would the big politicians want to repeal this, and take it back to its useless state... (max $500 per year, only to be used for college. What? They want the kid to buy books, I guess.)

I asked a much smarter person (my husband) why they would do this, and he said that politicians hate anything that takes kids out of public schools. It's how they indoctrinate new voters. And rich people aren't affected by this, so they won't do anything to help extend it.

That infuriates me. Seriously.

Is that really why this is not being extended? To keep poor peoples' kids in the public schools?


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Bobos in Hades

Once upon a time, there was a book about the particularly heinous version of yuppie/dink/suburbanite that lives in my area (the Main Line, said with a nose in the air). Bobos in paradise, or something like that. When I used to work in the bookstore, I dealt with them All the Time. But, it's been a while.

Thursday, I treated myself to a Starbucks run. First time in a long time. So, I'm standing waiting to order my mocha choca latta ya ya, and the woman in front of me starts to place her order.

Or so I thought.

"I would like to know if there's a way I can text in my order and leave a credit card number here. I couldn't wait all that time this morning. I need this to be more convenient."

"I apologize, ma'am. We aren't equipped for that. You could call in your order, but you'd still have to wait in line to pay."

"I cannot wait that long. You should just take my credit card."

"Ma'am, we can't be responsible for your credit card. We're sorry!"

"Well, your lot is so full in the mornings, and I have to wait in the lot entrance for minutes just to get a spot."

"Yes, it does get busy. But at least this is better than the such and such store up the street which has no parking, and the one in the other direction which only has three spots."

"I still have to wait too long"

"Ma'am, we're sorry for the inconvenience. We do reimburse if you park in the lot across the street."

"It's getting cold out! My coffee will get cold!" said as though the manager is a moron. "You don't let employees park in this lot, do you?" with suspicion. Vile employees.

"No, ma'am, we don't."

"So, what can we do to fix things for me?"

"As I said, you can phone in your order, but you'll still have to wait in line. I'm sorry that we have no other options at this point."

"Really, you should be more in tune with what your customers need!" (she then ordered, then complained when her order wasn't right.)


I give kudos to that manager. Completely polite the entire time, and concerned and regretful. I was embarrassed for the customer. I never can understand when people are so damn pushy. Just get up 10 minutes earlier, woman. You'll have no problem getting what you need.

~~~~~

Anybody for a triple shot decaf no fat sugar free vanilla mocachino? soy?

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How's this for Random?

I just went and did my civic duty. Yes. Good birdwoman.

As I was jockeying to avoid the hucksters outside the polling station, I noticed a man who looked... familiar.

On the way out, as I said good bye and good luck, he stuck his arm in the air, like he was making a fist, flexed his hand back and forth, and went (in very familiar tones) "ba ba duh ba bah..."

Yes... it was Bowser from Sha Na Na.
At my polling station.
He even said, "yes, folks, I'm bowser from sha na na." (to which I replied, I know, I'm old enough to remember... jeez I'm old...)

Question. What was bowser doing at my polling station?

(it is a day of weirdness. We had professional development that was interesting AND useful. Go figure!! I think the apocalypse must be coming!)

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