Krug: Fix economy? First things first
I’ve heard economists say that the economy is going to improve in the next quarter.
I believe I first heard that a few quarters ago. And when I hear it now, it resonates in much the same way as the signs posted on the walls at some joints that say “Free Beer … Tomorrow.”
I’ve talked to the man on the street, economists and local legislators. I’ve listened to congressmen and senators and the president. Everyone from the people who call my office line and leave random thoughts about the CIA, UFOs and WD-40 to the woman who distributes the Egg McMuffins from the drive-through window has an opinion on the economy – in particular about how to fix it.
Well, it all has become noise. I still want the truth. Someone once told me that people who haven’t developed an original thought before they turn 40 aren’t going to conjure one afterward. And if you read this column each week, there is clear evidence of that.
So I soldiered on and turned my focus toward the future.
Given an opportunity Friday to read to a few dozen first-graders at Indian Prairie Elementary as part of Read Across America Day, which most of the country will celebrate Monday, I made a deal with the kids: I’d read to them, and they’d let me interview them for this story.
They seemed pleased with that trade-off.
Luckily for me, the kids there are sharp. Clearly, they are taking advantage of the great public schools that we have in McHenry County.
My question to Kristin Juliano’s and Julie Maglares’ classes simply was, How would you fix the economy?
The responses were fascinating.
One lad who is destined for a career in politics cut to the quick.
“I’d lower taxes,” Elijah said.
Quite a few thought that stimulus at the taxpayer level was the way to go.
“Give them their money back,” Shoaib said.
“Give everyone $50,” James said.
“Give everyone $200,” Gabriel said.
“Give everyone jewels,” Sonya said.
“Give everyone a diamond,” Joe said.
“Win some money at a casino,” Will said.
One girl thought that job creation was the ticket.
“If I could, I would give everybody their job back,” Rebecca said.
A group thought that dealing with foreclosures was most important.
“If poor people don’t have homes, I would give them a house,” Meghan said.
“I would buy people houses if they didn’t have one,” Nathan said.
“If I had a house and I didn’t need it anymore, I would share it with someone special,” Grace said.
And still there was a spectrum of other ideas that could yield positive results.
“I would make people stop killing all the animals in the forest,” Emily said.
“Make the world have only good thoughts,” Josh said.
“Make sure that everyone always reads books,” Carissa said.
“Read every day and every night,” Ashley said.
“Vote for peace,” Jillian said.
“Stop cutting down trees,” McKenzie said.
“Send everyone to school,” Brandon said.
“I would change [the workday] to the afternoon so people can spend more time with their families,” Nick said.
“Help other people,” Tyler said.
And then there was my favorite.
“I would call 911,” Olivia said.
• • •
Add to the reading list: I always enjoy my time at Indian Prairie, because each time I visit, I receive a new book to read.
If you have kids younger than 7, here are two to add to your bookcase.
“The Night I Followed the Dog” is a whimsical tale about a boy who learns that his dog leads a double life in which (spoiler alert) he is a nightclub owner as well as the family pet. When the lights dim, this dog rolls in a limousine, wears a tuxedo, and is very popular with the lady doggies. Kind of makes you wonder what your dog is doing while you’re slaving away at work all day.
I also read a book titled “Hungry Hen,” which is about a fox who waits so long to eat a hen he’s stalking (spoiler alert) that he becomes emaciated and the hen (big-time spoiler alert), gulp, eats him. The moral of that story, of course, is don’t let your food eat you.
• • •
Playing with fire: A jury in McHenry County Court on Wednesday returned a guilty verdict against 22-year-old Jose J. Rivera Jr. of Carpentersville, who in 2005 set ablaze the women’s restroom at Mandile’s Eatery on County Line Road in Algonquin.
According to testimony, Rivera walked past the entrance to the men’s room and found himself in the dark in the women’s room, which is a confusing enough place when the lights are on. So he did what any guy in those circumstances might, and flicked his Bic. Unfortunately, the flame caught some artificial flowers on fire.
Rivera, who was convicted of aggravated arson as a juvenile, said in testimony that he left the restroom after he discovered that he was out of his element, but didn’t realize that he had started a fire.
I know what you’re thinking – same kind of thing happens to you all the time. You accidentally walk into a gender-opposite restroom and set it on fire with your lighter while you’re hunting for the light switch. Could happen to anyone.
But I think I’d take Rivera and his story over Sen. Roland Burris and his stories anytime.
• • •
Buzz, buzz said the bee: Don’t forget about the McHenry County Spelling Bee this Wednesday in the auditorium at McHenry County College.
If you can’t make it to MCC, you can watch all the action from the comfort of your home by logging on to NWHerald.com. We’ll webcast the event live to a worldwide audience.
The vowels and consonants start flying at 7 p.m.
A total of 40 schools from the county conducted their own local bees, and through the process of regional eliminations, we will bring 12 finalists to the stage for what always has been one of the area’s best displays of young brainpower.
This is the second year that the Northwest Herald has sponsored the event, and the second consecutive year that our local bee champion will represent McHenry County in late May at the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
If you are planning ahead, ESPN will televise the semifinals, and ABC will present the finals. Here’s hoping we see one of our kids in that spotlight.
• • •
And finally … : As I mentioned earlier, there is a lot of noise out there now.
But here are some words of wisdom to consider.
“The country needs, and unless I mistake its temper, the country demands, bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it; if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”
Sounds like good advice for the times.
President Franklin Roosevelt chose those words – way back in 1932.
They worked well enough for him.
Hang in there, gang.
We’ll get through this one, too.
• Chris Krug is general manager and executive editor of the Northwest Herald. Contact Chris by calling 815-459-4122 or via e-mail at ckrug@nwherald.com. Become a follower of Chris through Twitter by adding ChrisKrug (no space) to your account.