09/04/2008: "Les diologues" and after she put down the cat, she told me that there wasn't much else she could do for me, but could she interest me in lip balm made with goat urine. I wasn't...

oh hi! I didn't see you there. I was just talking about my latest trip to the gas station.

Listen, I have a severely crippling case of the stupids at the moment, so there's really not much I can talk about without fear of, well, utter stupidity.

So here's the thing. Uhhhh. Oh. Right. The Conservatives' "lets give $100 per kid under the age of six to help defer daycare costs" plan. Yet again, I told you so. It doesn't work, and in fact makes it *more* difficult to find good child care. As for the shitloads of money they were going to toss in to 'opening up new daycare spaces', I certainly haven't talked to any parents who've said, "why yes! It *IS* easier now to find someone to look after little Beulla!" Nor have I seen any new child care centres built. Nor have I seen the government make it any easier or any better for people who care for children in their own homes.

Personally, I just spend that little monthly windfall on beer and popcorn, so, you know, kudos to you, Canadian government, for helping make my life as a parent more meaningful and easier.

"A Moebius...bottle?"       "Grease Fire"

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So. Yeah. Back at school.

And there is the URSPC. That's the University or Regina Students for the Progressive Conservatives. They've got a table.

And there's this barely twenty year old nipple head (Just for you Ceno) explaining to this young woman about this EXACT subject.

So, I couldn't resist.

I walked up and listened. And then asked him: 'So can you explain how this policy actually improves child care, creates anymore spaces for child care, or in any way makes my life as a parent who needs child care any easier?'

And he looks at me, startled that someone might question his mighty knowledge of politics, and as he stares, he starts to realize, his self-rightous attitude and black and white view of the world means nothing to someone wearing a dirty tattered jacket, ten year old pants, and ragged used shoes, who looks tired and has honestly asked him to not just justify his pronouncement, but explain it as well.

So he stutters. He stammers. He says finally 'Well it puts the money in your hands as you know how to best care for your kids.'

I say 'You're right. And so does every other parent out there who has asked our government to make serious reforms in child care so that we can all enjoy every aspect of life.'

And I notice... there lurking in the back of his throat, the statement he wants to make ... so I cut him off at the pass.

'Young man, go talk to your parents. Go ask them if one of them had to stay home to wipe your nose because they couldn't trust the child care around them. Then ask them if they think they could still do that in these times, when both parents have to work just so everyone can eat. Please do that.'

He stammers, the young woman who he tried to impress with his political furvor is actually looking at him like you might at someone who has just said 'Can I buy you a roofie-colada?' He says 'So you don't feel responsible for your children's care so you blame the government?'

I smiled.

It wasn't a plesant smile. In fact, I watched both young people back up, startled at the smile, because it wasn't nice. No in fact, it was the smile you give to someone right before you might shove something dull, metal, and long through their bowels.

I then chuckled, and nodded, looking down at my shabby clothing, and then back up at this young man sitting in his brand name designer clothes and I said 'That was the wrong thing to say, not because it insulted me, or my children. Not because it insulted my beliefs, and certainly not because you've suddenly put me in my place. It was the wrong thing to say because it was a logical falicy based on the reduction of an argument to personal attacks. And really. It only deserves one response.'

I stepped back. I smiled that same smile again, and turned to walk away, stopped in mid step, that awful rictus on my face and said very clearly 'Fuck you, fuck you in your stupid goat ass.' I re-started walking, not looking back.

My statement was followed closely by a bark of laughter from the young woman, who walked away from the table, I heard her shoes clicking in the other direction. I could sense the young man, so firm in his belief in the 'rightness' of his party (pun intended), gaping with his mouth openning and closing like a gaffed fish. He didn't respond. I'm sure he wanted to, I'm sure some part of him wanted to prove both that he was right and wasn't scared, but smartly he didn't.

And that goes for anyone of you who thinks anything that Harper has done in the entirety of his 'reign' as our PM has honestly improved our country.

Fuck you, fuck you in your stupid goat ass.

Thank you for your time.

(P.S. In case you haven't caught the irony, and my own annoyance at it, that I turned myself into a living example of why that argument style is stupid, this is to assure you that I intended to do it.)

"I certainly haven't talked to any parents who've said, 'why yes! It *IS* easier now to find someone to look after little Beulla!'"

Perhaps this is because you don't know any parents with children named Beulla?

;)

One hundred bucks a month isn't going to pay my gas to get to the daycare.

That is beer worthy. Remind me of this story the next time I see you.

Hah! I've got my own case of the stoopids it seems.

The last mssg was supposed to be to Coyote from myself.

"Heavy thing go here?" ~grunt~ "Right, boss"

I'm glad I'm back to school in January.

The absolute naivety (sp?) of those who voted for the tories based on this $ 100 is astounding to me. I remember getting my first beer and popcorn cheque in the mail and taking a good look at it. I recall seeing the note about how we were going to receive a T-slip at tax time so that we could report the money on our personal tax returns. Yes, it is a little extra money that we wouldn't have otherwise had, but it is less extra money than we think. As this money is taxable, I have to wonder how many of us are putting aside 15-25% of this beer and popcorn money to cover the taxes on it later. I have to wonder why the tories wouldn't give us just $ 75 instead and save the money required to pay government employees to prepare and issue T-slips for each and every family with daycare aged children? The Tories giveth and the Tories taketh away. And a minority government's worth of voters continue to vote for these people.

Before Giggles was born, we started looking at daycare in Toronto. $1200 / month, minimum. And we weren't eligible for subsidies.

That $100 covered less then 10%, if you're inclined to do the math.

Then we moved to Wpg. We managed to locate a spot for said child. I say "a spot" because that was all that was available according to the city o' Wpg. site. One spot. Clear across the city.

But at least I get $100 a month, right?

I think Coyote's response is still the bestest. And most accurate.

Before Giggles was born, we started looking at daycare in Toronto. $1200 / month, minimum. And we weren't eligible for subsidies.

That $100 covered less then 10%, if you're inclined to do the math.

Then we moved to Wpg. We managed to locate a spot for said child. I say "a spot" because that was all that was available according to the city o' Wpg. site. One spot. Clear across the city.

But at least I get $100 a month, right?

I think Coyote's response is still the bestest. And most accurate.

So uhm... yeah. Friday, I'm walkin' down the hallway, down the same damn hallway.

And I notice this familiar looking young woman motioning at her friends with her hands in my direction. I walk on, thinking 'Is my fly open?' I check, nope, gates closed. I listen and slow to 'adjust my backpack' and there is a flurry of words behind me from this group of girls.

I start walking, uninterested, and then it dawns 'Oh shit that's the girl, from the table, who laughed.'

I look back. They're watching me, I smile and wave. I walk on.

The world is a bit different now. Remember that the next time you think 'Oh it's not worth my time to try.'

I think I'm also getting too preachy. Is it showing? :)

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