Contact Your Congress

Times are changing.  My feathers are ruffling.  I might call my congress man and let him know that my panties are in a bunch.  Why? Because in the past 48 hours I’ve heard things that surprise me.

Story #1

UVU.  Oh the things I have learned since joining the work force here. Did you know that tuition only  covers 50% of each students cost of attendance?  Crazy, I know!  UVU saw a 12% enrollment increase in Fall 08, but receives the least amount of state assistance.  In 04/05  $303 million dollars was pumped into UT County as a direct result of UVU’s presence, or for every dollar invested in UVU there was a return of $6.22 to the community.  Fall ‘08 UVU was forced to give back 4% of its tax fund revenue, or $2.7 million.  There is another cut expected to come Jan 09 of 4%, another 4% in the summer, and hold onto your britches…there is talk of up to a 15% cut in Fall 09 (I hope I’m allowed to share that…it hasn’t really gone public yet).  I am a firm believer in being educated, and I love working in such a rich learning environment.  It is sad to me to hear the concerns of department chairs who are worried about losing positions in their departments, or how they will handle the increased enrollment, without additional sections.  My boss had to give up $200,000 of her money, and I assure you, there have been stressful moments coming from her office.   Get some of the scoop here.

Story #2

Americans are awakening to a new idea.  There is a “rage” going on across America of being frugal or re-purposing, or flat out  not spending.  Those few who are getting presents from me and Luke are getting a few things homemade.  Its made with love, not money.  Etsy, blogs, and even ebay provide a host of new, fresh ideas on homemade items you can buy.  And then I came across this…and this and I thought to myself “Is this what my world is coming too?”  Are people no longer going to be able to make homemade toys out of their basement and sell in at their local county fair, or on etsy, or anyplace for that matter?  I mean, you still can if you are willing to pay $4k for each sku.  CrazY CRaZY CRAZY. Read the articles. Educate yourself.  Time is running out on this one.

And then call your congressman, or write a letter, or DO SOMETHING!!  I know I’m going to give mine a piece of my mind.  Items up: stop slashing so much of higher education, and allow me to make a little something out of my home and sell it if  I want to.

I guess while I’m at it I’ll ask congress to lower the price of wheat grass juicers.  Luke was telling me last night that he wonders how batman and ironman grow their wheat grass. I told him its a movie and a prop, and no, they don’t actually grow it themselves (I’m getting concerned about his ability to decipher real life and pretend!)  And also, if anyone else is wondering you can buy a flat of it from your local health food store.  I think I just need a grass juicer for Luke, so if the prices could drop, that would really help out our converstations that always seem to start with “if we had wheat grass…..” and ususally end with “you wouldn’t need my help with this lid” or “I’d flex right now and pop right out of this shirt.”

Okay that last paragraph was a tangent…but Luke cracks me up with his wheat grass obsession.  Thats just one of the bazillion reasons why I love him.

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