Category: Blog

“I Do”…or Maybe “I Do Not”

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According to Fox News, the percent[age] of married households in the [United States] fell to 48.4% in 2010, down from 55.2% in 1990 and 78% in 1960. This is the lowest in recorded history for our country. In 1960, according to The L.A. Times, almost 50% of […] 18- to 24-year-olds and 82% of 25- to 34-year-olds were married. Today, it is 9% of the 18-to-24 group and 44% of the 25-to-34 group. [T]he average age of first marriage is almost 27 for women and 29 for men, up from 20 and 22, [respectively], in 1960. It also looks like 15% of the population today will remain unmarried compared with the historic [U.S.] norm […] of 10%. [Moreover], close to 40% of births are now to unmarried women. [O]ur country looks much different than it did just 50 years ago.

When you augment in that new marriage in the [United States] declined by 5% just from one year to the next, this lack of commitment is having a major economic impact on our economy. Now, a decline in marriage is not the reason we have been suffering through this recession, but fewer marriages and the recession is not a coincidence.

[As recently reported in] The Huffington Post, […] University of Virginia researchers [have] found that when people get married and have children, several sectors of the economy experience growth. They include childcare, life and personal insurance, household products and services, healthcare, food, home maintenance and home services, pets, and toys. A strong economy depends on a strong family unit, because they not only provide the current customer base but [also] the future workers in an economy. With marriage and fertility rates slowing, this trend of fewer marriages will have a negative long-term impact on the economy.

According to Brookings, in 1970, 44% of women ages 30 to 50 had no independent earnings, compared to 25% of women today. Opportunities in the workplace have allowed women to become more financially independent, making marriage less of an economic necessity. [Additionally], there are now a million more female college graduates than male in our workforce today, when, as recently as 2000, it was just the opposite. […]

So is it time to turn back the clock and urge all of our young people to get married? Maybe it is time we elders just arrange marriages for our kids (because it does not look like the Internet is helping) just to save the economy. I am living the statistics. Of my four kids ages 27 to 33, only one is married (happily, I may add), so I have not done my job to boost this economy.

We in business have to take these statistics quite seriously. Whereas we cannot force people to get married, we can encourage it. […] At the same time, there are many happy couples that can’t afford to get married, and there is a wonderful nonprofit organization, Brides Across America, [that] takes donated wedding gowns to be given to a military bride in need. […]

We are aware that we cannot force the younger generation to do just about anything. They learned from us, good or bad, and will do what they want to do when they want to do it, [s]o if we can’t convince them to get married because of love, let’s convince them they need to do it to save the economy.

Original article here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/i-do-or-maybe-i-do-not_b_1496628.html

Have We Added Another Lost Generation?

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“Generation Z” are our kids that have been born since the late 1990s. This generation has grown up with the [web] and is highly connected because of the Internet. Instant messaging, text messaging, smartphones, tablet computers and social networking are part of their fiber. They have 24-hour access to the Internet with their mobile phones in their pockets.

Besides being born into technology, this generation has a completely different outlook on life compared to previous generations, because they were born into school shootings, the rise of global terrorism, climate change controversy, the housing bubble burst, the financial crisis, and the weakening of America as a global superpower and the emergence of China and India as global economic superpowers.

This generation would rather text than talk. They prefer to communicate online, many times with friends they have not actually met. They don’t spend much time outdoors, unless adults force them into an organized activity.

America needs to send all of these kids to camp this summer before this generation loses the values that have driven our country since the beginning. Summer camps have been a U.S. tradition for over 150 years, according to PBS and Parenting. Back then, before air conditioning was invented (living in Arizona, I can attest how important air conditioning has become), hot city summers were miserable and even unhealthy for children, so escaping to the country for a few weeks was the thing to do. Today, there are several other reasons why Generation Z must go to camp. They need to actually meet new people who are not part of their virtual world. Camp provides not only peers but positive role models in counselors and those running camp projects. They need to learn risk-taking by trying new things and challenging themselves with a new sport or swimming or obstacle courses. They need to learn creativity with crafts or dancing.

Today’s camps are so different than the traditional camps for my generation. In addition to general camps, there are specialty camps—sports camps like basketball or horseback riding, academic camps like biology or math, adventure camps like scuba diving or rock climbing, arts camps like theater or music, specialty-interest camps for cooking or chess, religious camps, and special-needs camps.

Let’s take a look at the special-needs camps. Camp for All lists camps for epilepsy, cancer, special needs, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, arthritis and many more. Most of these are nonprofit organizations that are helping a kid with a challenging illness or special need. Those kids that need to go these camps usually can’t afford it, because their families have spent so much already to keep their kid alive.

According to The Pew Research Center, the wealth gap between younger and older Americans has stretched to its widest margin on record. Americans 65 and older have average net worth 47 times those of people 35 and younger, who are most likely the parents of Generation Z, [s]o we have a bunch of kids out there that just can’t afford to go to camp, which means we, as Americans, are shortchanging this important generation. […]

In the evolution of life, it is time for the baby-boomer generation and Generation X to step up to make sure we do not lose […] Generation Z to the virtual world. We need to get these kids out playing and communicating and winning and losing so they can take our place in getting this country back to leading the world in economic and ethical ways. Help send these kids to camp this summer.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/generation-z-summer-camps_b_1416380.html

Even Billionaires Give

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Forbes just came out with their latest list of billionaires. The media, during our recession and tax crisis, has been concentrating on the top 1%, which are Americans earning at least $343,000 in adjusted gross income, as reported on their tax returns. This latest list of billionaires is way out of even the 1%’s league.

The News this week reported another 17 U.S. billionaires, including Facebook cofounders Mark Zuckerberg and Dustin Moskovitz, have pledged to give away at least half of their fortunes as part of the philanthropic campaign led by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, probably the two best-known billionaires. Buffet’s and Gates’ efforts now have added 57 of our billionaires joining “The Giving Pledge.”

The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday that of all the reasons to give, which include vanity, guilt, tax breaks or wanting to help solve the world’s problems, the most powerful reason is “legacy,” which, [at the] bottom line, boils down to “what’s on your tombstone,” says British telecom billionaire John Caudwell.

Throughout American history, billionaires have given to improve our society. Andrew Carnegie, who made his fortune in the steel industry, helped fund 3,000 public libraries over 100 years ago, which, even today, continues to impact most Americans. He funded [the] construction of 7,000 church organs, and his Carnegie Hall in New York City still stands as a monument to his belief that music can improve a society. John Rockefeller, Jr., who made his fortune in oil, donated land along the East River in Manhattan for the United Nations headquarters in his belief that the world together can get better. These are examples of the very visible givers. There are hundreds of others who have given to help hospitals and schools and the underprivileged.

It is time for the rest of us in the other 99% to do our part to help those less fortunate in our communities. The rich get a lot of publicity when they give, whether they want it or not, [b]ut the backbone of charity really comes from the rest of society. We are the ones who serve food at the homeless shelter or do the fundraising to make sure the kids have socks and a decent meal.

The season of giving was a few months ago, and now we have all gone back to our normal lives. This is really when the nonprofit world needs us the most. […] You don’t have to be a billionaire leaving a legacy to make a difference. Each one of us in our own little way can help those less fortunate. Even if your reward is just a smiling face or a thank-you for helping change someone’s life, it is what we do as Americans. Volunteer [or] give a few bucks, because, in the end, when you pay it forward and help, you will feel like a billionaire.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/even-billionaires-give_b_1335983.html

Is It Time to Be an Entrepreneur?

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Open Forum reports that there is an 11% increase in the number of small businesses closing and a 17% decline in the number of small businesses opening.

Get Busy Median reports 69% of small businesses survive at least two years, 44% of new firms survive four years, and 31% survive at least seven years. The Orange County Register states that new-employer businesses has fallen 27% since 2006, which means that startups—which, 10 years ago, would have created 4.6 million jobs—are only creating 2.5 million jobs now. Also, 10 years ago, the average new business opened with 7.5 jobs, and, today, it is 4.9 jobs.

Smart Money states that in 2009, there were 552,600 new businesses created, while 721,737 small firms closed or went bankrupt. They go on to report that in 2007, 75% of angel-funded deals came at the startup stage, while in the first half of 2011, only 39% of companies backed by angels were in the startup phase. This trend is just one more sign of how hard the recession has been on entrepreneurs. This recession has not only hurt sales, sending many small businesses under, it has also obstructed the ability to raise money for the next great idea.

So why would anyone in their right mind risk their money and reputation for only one-in-three chance of being in business after seven years?

Bloomberg Businessweek reported this week that the Walmart greeter job, which has been around for 30 years, has been removed from the overnight shift of its stores. Obviously, they will be using those hours more productively for tasks like stocking shelves or just eliminating the hours altogether. Every generation loses entire job categories—think milkmen.

So are today’s entrepreneurs desperate and opening a business because they just can’t find a job? Let’s hope not, because that is almost a guarantee your business will fall into the two-thirds that fail.

Clearly, you need a good idea, product or service before even thinking about opening up your own business. Assuming you have this great idea, then the next hurdle is [determining whether] you have the traits to run your own business. Some needed traits include being a self-starter, not getting intimidated easily, being adaptable to change, enjoying competition, being able to address risk, making decisions quickly and not seeing mistakes as failures.

[Y]ou [then] need to overcome the basics of starting a business, like cashflow (make sure you have at least six months of savings to live from), time management, a sound business plan and the ability to wear all the hats yourself.

Reading all these numbers and knowing you don’t have the equity now in your house to fund a business may be one of the most depressing things you do today, [b]ut the optimistic glass-half-full American entrepreneur doesn’t read these numbers like a normal human being. They say, “I am going to be in the one-third that succeeds, and I am going to make a lot of money doing it!”

DollarDays [is] just one small company doing our part to help grow the American dream. The rest of America needs to wake up and bring the small-business numbers back to where they were at the beginning of the 21st century. Banks need to actually begin loaning money again to small businesses. The government bailed out the big businesses and now must focus on building up Main Street again through backing small-business loans, giving tax break incentives and giving government contracts to small businesses. The average American needs to support their local small business rather than running to the big-box store. The numbers don’t lie. Supporting small businesses is an American team effort, and we need to get those numbers back to where they were—together.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/is-it-time-to-be-an-entre_b_1263541.html

No Nonprofit Should Be Left Behind

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Now that the holiday season is over and retailers in general are reporting slightly higher sales than last year, the business community is letting out a shared sigh of relief, because it could have easily gone the other way, continuing the recession we have all been dealing with over the last three years—[a]nd, as USA Today reported last week, “Many business[es] say they are ready to increase hiring in early 2012 after seeing stronger consumer confidence.”

With this cautiously optimistic news, why do our nonprofits continue to report having less money to provide the services our society has counted on them to deliver? Is it because, with our gridlock in Washington, our government can’t provide for those in need, so it falls back on charities to pick up the slack? Is it because America has now passed the giving season? […] [I]s it just a sign of our times, where nonprofits are in the rearview mirror to all of us lucky enough to have jobs?

The Tacoma, Wash., Tri City Herald reported last week that “families [are] turning to private charities for everything from medical care to diapers. Beverly Weber, CEO of the [local] United Way, […] calls it a “squeeze from two directions, with less government funding of human and social services and a greater demand. When families can’t get services through scaled-back state programs, they turn to charities.” [S]he [adds], “Also, some employers have dropped health insurance programs because of the expense, and many employees have opted out of their health insurance for the same reason.”

CNBC reported last month that “U.S. nonprofits see slow economic recovery, and […] many of the nation’s nonprofit organizations are digging in for another three to four years of financial distress. Most of the nation’s smaller charities saw donations drop again this year, and food pantries and homeless shelters reported funding crisis because of an increase in need, coupled with a drop in donations.”

The Daily Astorian in Oregon reports that the United Way, which receives much of the funding from donations of voluntary payroll deductions, has seen those contributions decrease each of the last four years because those generous people are not employed anymore or they have had to cut their donations to survive themselves.

This same story is repeated in community after community where the “have not’s” are suffering more than ever and the “haves” are just moving on with their lives. The season of giving is over except for anyone with a conscious. Most of us made resolutions last week and hope we can keep at least one. The one all of us should keep is to go out of our way to help our fellow Americans, at least until this economy gets back on track and our nonprofits can get healthier, even if it takes three to four years.

Businesses should be leading the rest of us in this effort to help. This month, the small contribution my company, DollarDays, is doing is giving away 1,200 socks to 13 different nonprofits on our Facebook page. […]

If every company and every organization looked deep within how they can support their community, I am sure all of our little efforts will accelerate the nonprofits digging out faster than three to four years in order for them to serve the greater need. In the history of mankind, those too poor were sent to debtor’s prison and society wrote them off. Luckily for us, in 1833, the United States abolished federal imprisonment for unpaid debts, [b]ut we all have a debt to this country that made us the freest society in the world. We need to take care of this debt by taking care of our nonprofits who take care of those of us in need. It is the true cycle of life.

Don’t wait until our next holiday season—[g]ive back now.

Original article here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/no-non-profit-should-be-l_b_1196474.html

I Don’t Want to Be Homeless

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What has America gotten itself into? Just about every state and every city is cutting back funding to services needed by those who need it most.

The Chicago Reporter published the headline this week, “Temperatures dropping. Will the state restore funding for homeless shelters?” It goes on to report that the 2012 budget was cut 52% for homeless-prevention services. This cut is on top of the fact that more people were turned away from homeless shelters in Chicago last year than were taken in.

The Citizens Voice in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., also reported this week, “Funding cuts continue to hamper women’s shelter,” citing a 20% cut in funding from federal, state, county and city sources. Channel 12 News in Ardmore, Okla., reported […], “Overcrowded shelters are forced to leave some out in the cold.” This tragedy is happening from big cities to small-town America. [O]n top of all this bad news, USA Today reports that military veterans are much more likely to be homeless than other Americans.

What is causing this disaster? Obviously, the down economy and the housing crisis forced numerous families out of their homes and into the streets. During the summer, they can live out of their cars, but as winter settles in, sleeping outside or in your car is not an option anymore. [Currently], 15.1% of people nationwide are living in poverty.

As more people become poor, more people become increasingly at risk for homelessness. Add to this the shrinking availability of real affordable housing, and you have a classic case of Economics 101, where there is an increase in demand for shelters and a decrease in supply because of all the funding cutbacks.

Our homeless population is not only made up of those caught in these troubling economic times caused by losing their jobs and their homes, [but also] victims of domestic violence, people suffering from physical illness or mental illness, people addicted to drugs and alcohol, kids caught up in the transition from youth into adulthood, and people who have exhausted their personal relationships the same way other people exhaust their financial resources.

The kind and caring people involved in these shelters are not heartless. When they run out of beds, they let people and their children sleep on the floor, [s]o donations of pillows and blankets are always needed.

What can the average person do to help in this situation? Obviously, you can donate money or much-needed supplies to your local shelter. My company, DollarDays, is giving away a total of $5,000 in supplies to 13 different homeless shelters in a sweepstakes on our Facebook page.

Make sure you enter your local shelter into this. You can also volunteer in your local shelter to help with the food serving or keeping it clean or becoming a friendly face to comfort those in need. If you see homeless people in need, offer them a coat or food. Direct acts of kindness are what this country is built on, and for those who can spare a coat, it is the right thing to do.

This economic calamity we have backed ourselves into is not going away tomorrow. Neither is the crisis that has forced so many people to give up their lives and rely on others for help. Winter is coming, and we just can’t let Americans who pledge allegiance to the same flag as we do suffer without having the basic need of shelter.

Don’t let this suffering continue in your town. Since our government can’t afford to help our fellow man, you do it. Volunteer and give something back—give some cash and give some clothing to your local shelter. We, as Americans, who have kindness and caring built into the fabric of our society, can make a difference.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/fight-against-homelessness_b_1077169.html

The Best Therapist You Ever Met

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October is “Adopt-a-Pet-Shelter Month,” and, as far as I am concerned, we should be celebrating this every month of the year. According to the Humane Society, animal shelters care for up to eight million dogs and cats every year and euthanize around four million animals. Today, there are more than 135 million dogs and cats in our homes. Back in the 1970s, when there were just 67 million pets, over 12 million dogs and cats were euthanized a year, so, in a sense, our society has come a long way in caring for our animals.

All of our local shelters do their best in trying to get these defenseless animals a home. As was reported in the Bandera Bulletin this week, “Saturday turned out to be another great day for adoptions in Old Town Helotes, where nine dogs and puppies found new homes.” Publications like Philadelphia’s PhillyBurbs.com continually promote local animals available for adoption. They even suggest that if you can’t adopt one yourself, be a good citizen and “support local shelters by putting together care packages, which could include baked goods for the volunteers, blankets and toys for the pets, and pet food items for the shelters’ supplies.”

[D]on’t forget the Red Star Animal Emergency Relief effort that was reported on recently in The Huffington Post. This part of the American Humane Association helps animals in disaster events like the Minot, N.D., flood this summer and the Joplin, Mo., tornado last spring.

There are plenty of Americans who don’t have pets and don’t understand how important a companion these pets can become. Pets are also teachers helping humans of all ages learn about loyalty, responsibility, empathy, sharing and unconditional love. Kindness to animals can rub off and teach us to be kinder to our fellow man and woman. If you are elderly, a pet can offer you hope, because being responsible for another life can add new meaning to your life.

Every American should give thought during this special month for pets on how they can help their local shelter. My company, DollarDays, is giving away $5,000 in supplies to shelters on our Facebook page. If you have a favorite shelter, make sure you nominate them to win. If you don’t have a favorite shelter, support them all by donating to one of the national organizations helping animals.

During these tough economic times, it is quite difficult to help the humans who need us, let alone the animals that need us, [s]o if you can’t support this cause financially, volunteer at your local shelter. These animals need a friend as much as you do, even though pets offer us much more in return than we give them. They can help us learn more about love and friendship than we can teach them. Just a few hours with a pet can improve our emotional health. These animals may be the best therapist you have ever met.

Original article here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/the-best-therapist-you-ev_b_999272.html

Build It & They Will Learn

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Last week the White House released their American Jobs Act proposal. Two ideas that caught my eye [were] preventing up to 280,000 teacher layoffs and modernizing at least 35,000 public schools by supporting new science labs, Internet-ready classrooms, and renovations at schools across the country in [both] rural and urban areas. No matter what your political outlook is on life, these are two parts of the act that all Americans must agree our society needs to keep our country moving forward in this highly competitive world.

I heard on NPR this morning that there is now a one-in-three chance this country is heading back into recession. None of us can afford that. Whether you are working at a small business, a large business, a nonprofit organization or for the government, we all need jobs to pay the rent. The Wall Street Journal recently said, “[T]he global economic recovery has stalled.” As […] noted by ABC News today, President Obama says his initiative will help put to work the “more than one million unemployed construction workers ready to get dirty right now.” What sensible American can argue with that? We need to stack the deck on immediate job creation to improve our odds of staying out of another recession.

I was pleased to see yesterday in The New York Times that the White House honored its pledge to speed up government payments to small-business contractors, reducing the payment time from 30 days to 15 days. This small gesture in itself helps create jobs because it frees up cash. These are the little things government can do to keep this economy moving.

Saving teacher[s’] jobs and updating our schools, though, is not a little item on the agenda that can be fixed by an executive order. As The Huffington Post is reporting today, Tacoma, Wash., teachers are on strike, despite a judge’s order to return to work. These teachers have the guts to put it all on the line to stand up for what is right for our kids. I am sure teachers all over the country would join them if they thought they would not lose their job the next day.

[W]hy, as a socially conscious society, are we forcing these dedicated teachers to abandon what they love in the classroom to protest what we all know is the right thing for our kids? This brave group in Tacoma represents our country’s conscience. How can we let our school buildings fall apart, and how can we not guarantee our children a first-class education? Our representatives in Washington can help fix this embarrassing situation we are forcing on our kids by talking instead of arguing. In business, you negotiate and work things out to move your business forward. With all of these businesspeople and lawyers as part of our government, why can’t they see this?

I wish we all had the courage of the Tacoma teachers. Every company, every community should be pushing our representatives in Washington to do the right thing. Fund teachers, fund school building, and this, in the short run, will help our economy get back on track.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/build-it-and-they-will-le_b_966863.html

May No Soldier Go Unloved

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This is the slogan used by the nonprofit, volunteer-led organization Soldiers Angels, [which assists] families of veterans and veterans deployed, wounded and moving back into society. These volunteers are mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters of soldiers, as well as regular Americans who know the sacrifices our military makes to keep all of us safe.

For most Americans, we really are not affected by the sacrifices our military makes for their country and, [just] as important, the sacrifices their families make. Sure, when we see them in uniform at the airport, we feel proud, but then the moment passes as we move on with our lives.

Military.com reported earlier this month that 12.4% of Iraq and Afghanistan vets are unemployed, 3% higher than the national average. CBS MoneyWatch.com reported that vets’ unemployment in Michigan is at 29.4%, in Indiana at 23.6% and in Minnesota at 22.9%.

Why is this not headlining news? I am pretty sure that America cares and should feel somewhat guilty that we are not supporting these heroes like we did in past generations.

In Congress, we are beginning to see some isolated compassion. Radio Iowa reported last week that Congressman Bruce Braley is calling for a new tax break for businesses that hire unemployed veterans. The Bremerton Washington Patriot also reported this month that Senator Patty Murray’s bill, the “Hiring Heroes Act,” is trying to smooth the transition process for veterans. [T]he Murphysboro American in Illinois [also recently] reported the honoring of two associates at the Illinois Department of Employment Security who excelled in providing job counseling, testing and placement assistance to unemployed veterans.

[T]hen we read [in] an article in The Huffington Post last week where California is cutting veterans’ courts from their budget. These specialized courts help veterans, so this can’t be good. Why, as a society, are we sending our veterans such mixed messages? As Soldiers Angels believes, “May no soldier go unloved.”

Both my father and father-in-law are WWII vets. Interestingly, both visited the VA hospital this month, and both commented to me how sincerely compassionate everyone at the hospital was—from the receptionist to the nurses to the doctors. I realize that when you are in your 80s, any compassion received from a stranger is amplified, but these proud, old vets truly appreciated how considerately and respectfully they were treated.

So why can’t we show this same thoughtfulness to the vets of this newest generation? Our businesses must show this generation our compassion and appreciation by employing them. Our government must help them transition back to civilians. We, as a nation, must embrace these vets like we embraced my father’s generation.

At DollarDays, we’ve worked with the great Soldiers Angels organization to develop a wishlist of products vets and their families can use. I encourage you to help out this volunteer organization. […]

As a nation, we celebrate Labor Day. As a nation, we celebrate Veterans Day. As a nation, we need to celebrate our veterans having productive jobs back in society. Only a strong moral commitment from both business and government can achieve this. All of us need to work towards this end, [a]nd our veterans need to know: we salute you!

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/veterans-unemployment_b_941822.html

We Are Forgetting About Our Kids

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I don’t need to rehash what has been going on in Washington. The moves that were made with the most recent agreements, we are told, were made to protect our children and their future. I am more worried about protecting our children of today to make sure we don’t have a lost generation gliding through our school system.

Where is our country’s moral standard when we read the article in The Huffington Post on August 8th, [titled] “Schools Caught Cheating in Atlanta and Around the Country“? […] Where is Washington when The Wichita Kansas Eagle reports this week, “Board Approves Heavy Budget Cuts” and goes on to say they are doing away with librarians and stringed-instrument classes? Or when the Corsicana, Texas, Daily Sun reports, “Mildred Cutting Budget“ and talks about the band not being able to go to football games? Where is our country’s ethical position when, as the Chicago Sun Times reported earlier this week, “Aldermen Not Warming up to Proposed School Property Tax Hike”?

Like any business, if you don’t have enough money coming in, the services you provide will be decreased. Around the country, skills that were being taught that have made our country what it is today, like music, art and physical education, are being eliminated. Teachers are being fired, increasing class size. This is not the legacy I want to leave my children today, let alone the children of tomorrow. […]

The Huffington Post, back in December, reported, “U.S. Falls in World Education Rankings” and that our great country is rated “average.” I know my kids aren’t average, and I am sure your kids aren’t average, either. In this horrible economy, we all have to make sacrifices, and any “average” American understands this—[b]ut don’t sacrifice our kids in the short term, because this country will pay for this in the future. Sacrifice our retirement benefits. Have us pay more in sales tax. Have the adults in this country benefit less in social services, but don’t sacrifice our kids, especially in their formative years.

At DollarDays, we are trying to help the kids a little. On our Facebook page, we are giving away one free month of SAT test preparation to an entire junior class at one school. You should enter your favorite high school into this sweepstakes.

Education is what has helped the quality of the American society grow so quickly in the last couple of hundred years. This is because adults have made the right sacrifices for all of our kids. It is the honorable and decent way to treat the next generation.

Original article here:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/marc-joseph/budget-effects-schools_b_923951.html