I Have a Problem...Surprised?

Truth is - I have many problems but I selectively suppress most of them; however, the last couple of weeks I have really struggled at trying to keep the "I expect nothing less than perfection" side of me at bay. I mean, I've really tried, but I have failed miserably at keeping my big mouth closed. It just so happens the last couple of weeks have presented with a culmination of one thing after another that has been done incorrectly - without fail, and without excuse!

I always get a little frustrated right before school starts - something about the Supply List sends me over the edge - seriously, I rage about it before I even open it. I will NEVER understand why my child has to bring paper towels, Clorox wipes and Kleenex' to her public school. I'll NEVER understand why an elementary school student has to have a "transparent" backpack - and therein, lies the key to my frustration - Transparency - what a concept!

You have a problem - address the problem. You have a student(s) who can't afford crayons or pencils - ask if parents would be interested in helping for the less fortunate. You have a new teacher without many resources, ask if parents or other teachers have items of interest for that teacher. Tell me that each teacher gets $525 to use at their disposal and in certain circumstances that may not be enough - tell me your goals for the year as a school, as a teacher, as a classroom and the obstacles you see in accomplishing those. Tell me your financial situation and your shortfalls and how those affect my child. Ya see, I will ALWAYS support my children's education and my family with ALWAYS (as long as we are able) help those, in ways we choose, who are less fortunate than us. I will not blindly give a school $6.00 for a "Communication Donation" without some explanation of what that is - I received 3 mailed letters last year at .42 each. Email is free - and, for the most part, so are phone calls. And, websites, what a concept - our school has failed to upload ANYTHING to their site. So, don't ask me for a "Communication Donation"!

The good news, I've rediscovered what ignites me - it's the absolute lack of transparency, competency and efficiency on behalf of human beings. I'm not even talking about Barack Obama - there's not enough battery power on this MacBook for me to write how I feel about that. I'm talking about people that I encounter in my routine "day in the life of an American mom in her mid-30's with three young kids" life.

It is WRONG that little league sports have turned into the National Football League. It is unnecessary that pom-pom's cost $38 and have to be purchased every other year. It is more WRONG that I am told what charities I have to support (in the form of "you are expected to buy xx tickets for xx dollars to xx event") Hello? Are you serious? You are telling me that I have to spend $50 to support an organization of which I do not participate - I don't think so.

And for those of you (my two readers) that live in Jefferson County - our incompetent Commissioners have completely duped us all and as a result of their incompetence and lack of transparency we are all forced into the giant black hole with no choice in the matter. As a licensed professional who practices my profession in the County of Jefferson, Alabama I have been exempt from the Occupational Tax - not because there was favoritism when it was initiated but because EVERYONE who must buy a professional license in the county is exempt. Despite the fact that the 3-ring circus known as the media wants you to believe that only doctors and lawyers are exempt - that is a flat out deliberate attempt to mislead the public. It is false and represents their failure to communicate effectively. Guess what? Your hair dresser is "exempt", too. And for those of you who may be lucky enough to get a massage every once in while - well, the beloved goddess who massages your body and takes away all your worries for 27 minutes is/was "exempt", too. "Exempt" - is not the appropriate way to characterize it. I prefer to explain that while I do not/have not paid the occupational tax I am required to purchase an annual license to practice my profession - a license which is revenue to the bottom line of the government, just like the occupational tax. And, don't worry, the special session of the Alabama Legislature has no bill before them this week to remove, abolish or reduce the requirement that I buy an annual license. They just choose to stick me with, you guessed it, an additional tax. More money that I can funnel to incompetent officials elected by incompetent residents so that welfare recipients can have their 14th child for free at Cooper Green Hospital. (sorry, but the truth hurts)

Okay, breathe, Tracy, breathe!

Back to my everyday life, the carpool line at the public elementary school wherein K1 embarked on her first day of 2nd grade today was horrendous - terrible, absolutely incredible. I understand, and appreciate, the extra time spent to ensure that every child got on the right bus, was accounted for, etc. I will NEVER understand why a Jefferson County Sheriff was there this morning standing around looking at leaves on trees and was not there this afternoon when traffic was backed up for miles. I will NEVER understand why some parents saw no fault in completely blocking traffic. It was the epitome of confusion due to lack of planning - all the way around. So, as I am steaming, literally screaming from within my car (I kept the windows up) I look up at the flag pole and realize that two of the three flags flying at the school are torn and tattered beyond reproach. Now, folks, that is a sad day. And, don't even give me the, "well, if you would have paid the donation they requested they might could buy a new flag". They had new mulch, they had fresh flowers, they have a HUGE nice sign telling ME to turn off my cell phone, notifying ME of the earliest time I can drop off my child, telling ME when my child is tardy and instructing ME where not to enter the carpool line.

I'm feeling a little better but don't be surprised if you see me on the news after one of those Town Hall meetings expressing my complete discontent with the direction of this country. It's not hard, really, all you need is:

1 a relationship with God
2 morals
3 a general understanding of basic economic principles
3 the ability to communicate
4 recognition of people's efforts
5 respect for the dollar (and the person who earned it)
6 a desire to do more with less; and
7 an open book (transparency)

Good grief, I'm going to bed!