NONSENSE!

I realized semi recently that no one really gives a poo about anyone else in this God-forsaken country. Education used to be about self improvement and working towards the greater good of improving the country. Smarter people = better countries, right? look at the eastern countries. China and Japan for example. Look at their technology, their architecture and all the other improvements they've made over the years. Yes, the US is waaay behind. Why? Because all we care about is money. So quick to bash communism as if capitalism is any better. "At least I know I'm free in America!" When's the last time you took a look at the constitution? You might not notice all the changes that have been made because they're not exactly scribble in red ink. Let me get right to the point. Education is a cash cow now, not a right or better yet, an amenity like in the old days. Look at ASU's tuition. Just a semester ago, anything above 12 credits cost a little over $5000. Now, anything over 9 credits, I believe costs the same amount. These days no one without a trust fund can attend school without taking out student loans. Didn't Reagan have a plan to eliminate debt in the country? Now debt is a way of life. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer and take out more and more loans until they have to file for bankruptcy. But, I digress. Now you would think one could take cheaper classes at a community college and just transfer credits over to save money. WRONG. I just registered for summer classes at Mesa Community College so I can get a leg up on my fall semester course load. $2000. All because of a ridiculously nonsensical proposition called Prop 300. Basically, this proposition told me that after 4 years of living in Arizona and paying in state tuition at this very same school, the fact that I had a visa and not permanent residency or citizenship meant that I was magically out of state. So I wasted two years of my life, not attending school. Only to find out that after receiving my permanent residency, I had to wait ANOTHER YEAR before I was could be considered OFFICIALLY in state. Now, I'm not Irish, but that's a load of malarkey. So today, after registering at this ridiculous institution, I inquire as to why I'm being charged out of state, seeing as how I have been a permanent resident for a year already. They told me I needed to make a copy of my permanent resident card, fill out a prop 300 form, bring in proof that I've been living here forever and a day (my being a student there isn't proof enough) and about 8 billion other things, after which the class would come to about $76. I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS STEAMING PILE OF BOVINE FECAL MATTER. I would rather pay $500 for the same classes then be treated like a common criminal going through a background check just to attend an INFERIOR institution.

Valentine's Day

Ah yes, Valentine's Day. A time for love. A time for flowers, candy, expensive gifts and romantic dinners. A time for...Bankruptcy. Let's call it what it is, folks. Valentine's Day is nothing but a government cash cow created to further fatten the wallets of crooked bureaucrats; silent partners that invest in seemingly innocent businesses; retail, restaurants, florists, etc, all the while siphoning the hard earned cash of working class people into impenetrable, untraceable offshore accounts.

I'm not a conspiracy theorists. You don't believe me, I don't care. Does anyone know the real history of this ridiculous holiday? According to History.com, the answer is no. It's all speculation, just like my "conspiracies". Yet every year around the second week of January, after all the Christmas stock has been liquidated, department stores begin their displays for Valentine's Day. And every year on February 13th, men scramble like frightened headless sheep to these same stores, making reservations, buying cards, chocolates, wrapping paper and of course, condoms. What, you didn't know? When do you think these sex toy stores (that everyone pretends they've never been to) make the most money? Guys do all this crap and spend all this money to get LAID. So, if you haven't sealed the deal yet, and it's not your first date, expect some pressure on Valentine's Day. Mama always said nothing was really for free.

And yet, even in grade school, we are conditioned to participate in this crazy American ritual. Elementary school Valentine's Day activities are the beginning of the social hierarchy that follow through to High School and beyond. Does that sound crazy to you? It's the truth. If you think about it for a second, you'll see I'm right. All the late bloomers and chubby kids shoved into a corner with sympathy valentine cards from their parents and the teacher, and those horrible chalky candy hearts with stupid grammatically incorrect sayings on them while the pretty ones who later become the popular kids in high school flaunt how many cards, candies and gifts they've received, each display of narcissism greater than the next. I suppose school is as good a place as any to learn about injustice.

I know you're probably wondering if I'm single. The answer is yes. And no, I'm not bitter about this unnecessary "holiday" at all, let alone because of a relationship. It's true that I've never had a romantic one. Even when I wasn't single. But I don't care. I'm not a sappy person, so trying to find a gift for someone to prove that I care about them even though it's just another day on the calendar to me, isn't my idea of romantic or even mildly enjoyable.

Isn't it interesting that Black History Month is the third thing people associate the month of February with? Almost fourth, actually. Number one being, of course Valentine's Day (which I'm really getting tired of typing at this point...ironic, I know), the second being whether or not it's a leap year, and Black History Month just barely beating out shortest month of the year.

It's not singles awareness day. I don't have anything clever to call it. My advice to everyone is, save your money for something more important.

Happy Ides of February Eve, everyone. Guess I thought of something clever after all. :-)