danajohnhill.org

I have been a student for a long time (much too long, but that’s another story), and have attended three colleges.  So when I read an article like the one in today’s New York Times about post-secondary students paying more but getting less, I think, tell me something I don’t know.  The same can be said of nearly every aspect of life today.  Everything costs more, but we have less to show for it.  I don’t mind paying higher tuition, since I acknowledge that my course fees could not possible cover the cost of my professors’ salaries, maintenance of the buildings and grounds, electricity, and the free healthcare I receive as a student at the University of Florida.  But I am troubled at how cheap my school is becoming.  Teachers cannot make copies of their syllabi or assignments; class sizes in upper-division English literature courses regularly exceed 35 students; graduate students are teaching courses they are not qualified to teach; instructors are leaving and not being replaced.  It is a scandal.

Some years back I wrote a letter to McDonald’s corporate office, applauding their Dollar Menu, and suggesting they might rename it to reflect its appeal during what then seemed like an “economic disaster”, but now seems quaint compared to what we’re experiencing today.  They returned my letter with a note explaining that it is their policy not to read or adopt unsolicited advice.  That gave me a chuckle.

As the price of everything has increased at a shocking rate since then, I have been amazed that McDonald’s has been able to maintain the Dollar Menu, and today they even have a Dollar Menu-based “value meal”, which includes a sandwich, french fries and a soda for less than $3.00.  I don’t know how they can afford to sell for that price, but I read this evening that it is working for them.  Profits are up.

This just goes to show that people will save money where they can, and it’s hard to pass up a $1.00 double cheeseburger.

I recognize that 2008 was, for many, a bad year.  The worst economy in generations, rising unemployment, and record prices for almost everthing stemming from gasoline that topped $4.00 a gallon made life difficult for a lot of people.  In spite of all this, 2008 was good to me.  Some highlights:

• I began classes at the University of Florida.  This is remarkable, because had I waited any longer the window would have closed on me, probably forever.  The University announced this year that they were changing their admissions policy for transfer students.  Unlike other universities in Florida, UF doesn’t have to admit students with transfer degrees from community colleges.  They can pick and choose.  And when the average GPA for entering freshmen at UF is over 4.0, there is little incentive for them to take people like me.  I got in just under the wire.  School is challenging, but rewarding.  I feel very grateful to be where I am.
• This year I became active in a roller debry league.  I am not a skater, of course, but I spent a lot of time with the girls who are skaters, and contributed to the league in my own small way.
• I did lots of traveling in 2008.  In January I spent a weekend in Daytona Beach at the wedding of my closest friends; in June I spent almost a week in Chicago, which is surely one of the world’s great cities; in early August I spent several days in Hilton Head, South Carolina, which I didn’t care much for as a place, but can now say I’ve seen; went to Savannah twice; had a great weekend in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which is a delightful little town; had an incredibly memorable week in Washington, DC, where I saw a million amazing things.
• I made lots of new friends, and reconnected with many old friends on Facebook.  I saw Burt twice.
• I got myself an amazing Fender Telecaster, which is ideal in nearly every way.
• I continued my incredible no-vomiting streak.
• I paid off all of my credit card debt.
• I watched lots of Olympics on TV.
• I became the last person I know to buy a laptop computer, and it’s changed my life.
• I discovered Samuel Johnson, which also changed my life.
• I had several photographs published in books, magazines, and even the website of the Wall Street Journal.
• I ate an astonishing amount of Hungry Howie’s pizza.
• I perfected the grilled cheese sandwich (the secret ingredient is salt).
• I read: Emma; Persuasion; Oroonoko; Wuthering Heights; Lady Audley’s Secret; Evelina; Robinson Crusoe; Roxana; Oliver Twist; The Monk; Clarissa; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and tons of poetry.
• I saw Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in concert; they played “Jungleland”.

So long, 2008.  You were good to me.  As I do every year, I close with the Stephen Foster sentiment that has become my credo: Hard Times Come Again No More.

Last night was the third and final presidential debate this year, and it was probably the most interesting, and best moderated.  Tom Brokaw seemed powerless to maintain any control in the second debate; Jim Leherer was decent, but didn’t seem to demand answers.  (Gwen Ifill allowed Sarah Palin to get away with declaring she wouldn’t answer the questions asked, and did nothing when Governor Palin proceeded to use her response time to make unrelated talking points.)  Last night, Bob Schiefer was pretty good.  He did the best job maintaining focus, which is a tough task considering how rambling politicians can be.

John McCain was finally animated.  I think he did much better for himself sitting at a table than he did in the “town hall” format that was supposed to be his strong suit.  But I think for all his fustiness, he didn’t do himself much good.  He constantly brought up “Joe the Plumber”, and criticized Senator Obama, declaring that under Senator Obama, Joe would pay more taxes, and have a tougher life.  The papers are all over this story today, and it’s amazing how quickly Joe’s actual circumstances have been brought to light, and how incorrect Senator McCain was.  Even if Joe owned the business he would like to own–and that isn’t probable any time soon, since he doesn’t have the money, and apparently isn’t licensed–given the annual revenue of that plumbing business, Joe would do better under Senator Obama’s proposed tax plan than he would under Senator McCain’s.

Now, I know that Senator McCain and Republicans like to protest that it isn’t fair that people should be “punished” for doing well, and have their taxes raised.  I understand that, on first glance, this seems punitive.  But, I look at it this way: the middle class–which drives the American economy–needs the break more than those making over a quarter-million dollars.  And, in any event, for those making more than $250,000, their taxes only go up for the portion above $250,000.  So, if Joe the Plumber did make $275,000, he might pay a couple hundred more dollars (it’s much less than $1,000) in taxes, but those extra taxes will allow the government to pay for things like bank bailouts that rich investors seem to be demanding, and will give the middle-class a break, which it needs.  Real wages have gone down over the last eight years.  Food any gas are much more expensive than ever before.

The argument that businesses create jobs when they pay lower taxes is wishful thinking, in my opinion.  Businesses exist to make as much profit as they can.  A business paying lower taxes–especially if it’s a small business that–isn’t going to hire more people simply because they saved a couple thousand dollars on the tax bill.  That’s just more profit for the owner.  Decades of experience have shown supply-side economics do not work they way advertised by Republicans.  All it does is leave massive budget deficits.  But, if you give the middle-class the tax break, the vast majority of people will have a little extra money in their pockets, and, unlike the rich, the middle class will actually spend that money, and small business will reap the rewards, and the entire economy does better.  That is so much more logical.

And, as for the argument that this is all class warfare, I say that’s phony.  Taxes are the price of civilization.  Joe the Plumber apparently doesn’t agree: he owes Ohio back taxes.  Maybe he wouldn’t had Senator Obama been president.  In Joe’s present circumstance, he’d pay less under Obama’s plan.  I’d bet you would, too.  And if you’re one of the people who would pay more, congratulations on all your success.  I’m sorry that you’re paying a little more, but I’m confident you’ll get by.  And some soldier in Iraq will have body armor thanks to you.