Today's editorial... Higher Education and Vocational Training Funding

Since the 1980s, some employers offered generous tuition assistance programs for their employees to obtain many types of certifications, degrees, and licenses. Employees with these designations contributed to improved public view and authority of the employers within the industry.

Since Mom did not have the money to send me to school, I was fortunate enough to receive state and federal government assistance, a loan, and employer assistance. Over the years, I received a very substantial amount of education assistance funding - about $30,000!!!

In recent years, the languishing economy has resulted in fewer educational loans being approved, harder access to government grants, and little or reduced, if any employer assistance. Also, the tuition costs have increased enormously.

Reduced funding and higher tuition have resulted in all schools cancelling many course offerings. Many classes are being overbooked, with the idea that some of the students will withdraw anyway. Fewer instructors are needed.

The US higher education system is the best in the world. It is a disturbing sign to see the system in a state of access and enrollment decay.

Education was never cheap. But, assistance made it accessible. It seems that we are returning to a time where education was not generally available to anyone who wanted it.

Education and training strengthen the nation.

On the flip side...

If goods and services are not utilized and no one is hiring the skilled people, the loan debt accumulates and the economy gets worse.

Washington offers no vision of a bright future for America.

Spring Greetings

Easter and Passover commemorate two very important events in Biblical history.

Easter represents rebirth and renewal.

Passover represents freedom from mental, physical, and spiritual bondage.

Both holidays remind us that we have an opportunity to change our lives to make the world a better place for ourselves and everyone else.

Go forth.

Do good deeds.

Spread the joy!

Happy Easter and Chag Pesach Sameach!

Presidents' Day

Happy Presidents' Day!

I don't understand the connection between our leaders and furniture and auto sales.

My proposal...

The government should celebrate our leaders by giving citizens one day of NO TAXES (of any kind).

Retro Dining

I remember a time before food courts. It was a tuna on white toast, stale potato chips, and small Coke world.

Today's Lesson...

The United States Post Office does not permit haggling.

Maybe, all government agencies should allow bartering?

How many eggs or ears of corn will a farmer need per $1,000 in back taxes to prevent foreclosure?

The food can be donated to shelters and other programs.

So easy!

Why am I not running the planet?

New Year's Resolution - 2014

Peeps - 

Your goal for 2014...

Consume more salads.

A Bloody Mary is a salad

January 2014 Weather... It is War...

The Polar Vortex originated in Siberia, traveled north over the Arctic zone and descended upon Canada and the United States.

Apparently, the Cold War is still in progress.

Well played Soviets, well played.

Na zdoróvye

Boxing Day Thoughts

Christmas Day has passed.

Did you stress over expecting everything to be perfect, only to have the slightest mishap or an all out war? Sometimes, nothing goes as planned or expected.

Try not to expect everything and everyone to proceed and function under your control. It does not work and you will be disappointed.

Also, the Holiday Season can be an emotionally depressing and traumatic time for many people for many reasons. Even the strongest of people can be affected by mental health issues. Watch your peeps for signs of depression and try to help them cope with their anxiety.

They may only need someone to listen.

No answers or solutions are required.

Christmas Shopping Observation

Saturday morning cranky pants Christmas shopping observation...

Many people exit stores with carts full of useless crap and walk by the folks ringing the bell next to the red kettle, without dropping in a buck.

A small donation can benefit someone who really needs the gift of a meal.

Sunday Morning Philosophy

Any belief system, whether a God, Nature, or Spirit, that connects you to the Universe is better than no beliefs, thus there are no connections with anything. In other words, some of us are alive and some are dead.

Live.