Opus 2013-160: Your Tax Dollars at Work

I want to again thank all you tax payers with special kudos to those who voted for tax increases and bond issues to help finance public education. 

Yesterday you provided me with dirty strawberries. 

The background.  I think I have mentioned before that we are participating in Network for a Healthy California.  Teachers are sent off for training.  We are told to include it in our curriculum and keep a log of the time spent.  Currently we are receiving a package of some food and asking the kids to rate it for taste.  This is called the “Harvest of the Month.”

Yesterday it was strawberries.

Picture this.  The bell is ready to ring.  We are supposed to quickly take role and escort the kids to the auditorium for an assembly.  It is a short period so there is no time to spare.  Down the hall comes and adult and a student assistant who have a cart loaded with packages of strawberries.  She gives me two packages.  Someone has thoughtfully typed out a label with my name and room on each package.  They also had included a label which said, “Please wash before consuming.” 

What?  I have no water nor do I have access to water.  How am I going to wash these beautiful pieces of produce?  I have no time.  I am due in an assembly.  On top of that the school has a policy of no food in the classroom.  Or in the building for that matter.

I asked the janitor if he wanted the strawberries.  I was not going to eat them.  I have a policy that I don’t eat anything that has been touched by students.  The janitor laughed and said, “No way.  Do you want me to get rid of them for you?” 

So your tax dollars went into the trash.  Thank you for the hours you worked.  Remember that all of the federal employees who were employed to implement this program also thank you.  All the people who packaged, labeled and delivered it thank you.  The market that sold the produce at top price thank you. 

The children?  They didn’t get any strawberries but we had a great time at the assembly.

homo unius libri