Year 1: Lifeways 101

Lesson 5:


Issues I Feel Are Unfair-

Issue: Taxes
Why am I paying taxes so that we can build more bombs or so that our “President” can go on fancy vacations? I want my taxes to go to the things that would be helpful to my way of life…like that pothole down the street from my house or the erecting of stop signs in my neighborhood.

Issue: Environment
Why don’t we do something about the environment? And-I don’t mean “we” like as in myself and a few friends. I mean “we” as a whole world. We are all aware that our actions are leading us down the straight and narrow path to destruction but we seem to do very little about it (if anything at all). Maybe I should request that my taxes go to this issue even more than the pothole!

Issue: Government
Our government does not work. It has not worked for a very long time (if ever) and I think it is time for a rethinking (or revolution) of how our nation is ran.

Issue: Education
It is mandatory to attend school from the age of 5 through 18 here in the USA. However, it is not mandatory that they teach us any more than what will allow for us to pass state and nation wide testing. Why is it that I went for 12 years without learning about health insurance and how to use it once I received it? Why was I never taught about renters rights or fire prevention? What about basic first aid or animal care? How about cooking, sewing and cleaning? What about resume writing? How to pick the best college for my needs and not get screwed over by financial aide? Where are all those skills that I really needed once I graduated high school? Why did I spend 12 years learning about the same people who did the same things over and over in my US “history” classes when I could have been using that time to learn how to be a successful adult?
Issue: There are so many more I would write about but I would spend all my free time talking about them instead of doing something about them!


People that I admire-

My Mom-She is a hard worker. She worked two jobs almost the entire time I lived with her as a child. She worked so that I could have the things I needed to live a good life. No matter what though-She never complained and she always had time to talk to me and ask how my day was.

My Boyfriend- I have never met anyone with more integrity. He never lies, cheats or takes credit for anything that is not his idea. His line of work (journalism) harbors a lot of less than honest people but no matter what he stands up for his beliefs. He never does something that goes against his moral code even if it might mean his job or worse.

My Boss- He is the kindest boss I have ever had. He sets the bar pretty high for his employees but never allows for them to fail. He is supportive and nurtures your best qualities and helps you succeed in ways you didn’t think you could. He is understanding and allows for family and health to come first. He is the type of boss I hope to be someday.