Monday, April 21, 2008

Something to Ponder...

(Elephant artwork from Etsy)
A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and among other liberal ideals, was very much in favor of higher taxes to support more government programs, in other words redistribution of wealth. She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.



One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the need for more government programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school?



Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends becasue she spent all her time studying.



Her father listened and then asked, 'How is your friend Audrey doing?'



The daughter replied, ' Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she is too hung over.'



Her wise father asked his daughter, 'Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0? That way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA.'



The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, 'That's a crazy idea, how would that be fair? I've worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!'



The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, 'Welcome to the Republican party sweetie!'


NOTE: This article caught my husband's attention and we laughed so hard when we read it. The Barefoot family is very in tune with the current political situation. It is something we often discuss and debate and honestly I am unsure where I stand right now, but this little story really made me think.



2 comments:

Buby + Bleu said...

I love this story... and the colorful artwork. I'm so glad we're in the midst of a real political season. I love all of it. Every debate, roundtable, speech, and primary. The dad makes a valid point. I grew up in a split household. The girls were Republican and the boys Democrat, though 2 of the boys have switched sides over the years. The remaining boy is extreme other direction. Makes for lively debates though...

Amanda said...

Love this story - today is the PA Primary and I too am going to the polls on a wobbaly note. This is a tough one, but a good one. Can't wait to see the outcome!!