One of Tyler’s bosses, Diane, read this on someone’s blog recently (blogs are so wonderful!). I love the viewpoint it provides.

College Student Mentality

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 professor 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 either because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened, then asked, “How is your friend Audrey doing?”

She 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’s too hung over.”

Her father asked her, “Why don’t you go to the Dean’s office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend Audrey, 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. And she’s done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!”

The father slowly smiled and said gently, “Welcome to the Republican Party.”

BAD DECISION :: using chicken sausage to make homemade corndogs.
GOOD DECISION :: making Martha Stewart’s recipe for Speedy Baked Beans.

BAD DECISION :: buying a vinyl box springs cover and having to duct-tape it back together where it ripped.
GOOD DECISION :: buying a more expensive, softer cover for the actual mattress.

BAD DECISION :: making seven(?) trips to Home Depot and one trip to Sears.
GOOD DECISION :: asking the sales associates.

BAD DECISION :: stressing out to the point where I am crying uncontrollably over dinner, bugs, and a bed.
GOOD DECISION :: marrying a man who forgives me when dinner has to be thrown away, the box springs cover has to be duct-taped, and puts up with me complaining and whining all the way to home depot and back. Seven times.