It's the thought ...



They say it's the thought that counts, and for years, I've embraced that sweet, little idea.
- A child's drawing, given to you.
- Homemade gifts at Christmas.
- Vacuum my car any day instead of a gift, and I'm a happy old gal!
- A kind word or thoughtful gesture: I popped over to my neighbor's house last week while her 8-year-old granddaughter was visiting. (Apparently, the case of wine my husband ordered was delivered next door. That's another story.) Linda invited me in and we sat down for a short visit. Before I realized what Granddaughter was doing, she carried in a tiny glass filled with ice and water and served it to me. I was touch and impressed — honored to be the recipient of her young gesture of kindness.
Yes, for many reasons, I've believed it's the thought that counts.
Until today.
I'm wading through summaries and links to proposed bills and appropriations reports. It's what I do in my spare time on the job.
Today, I stumbled across this:
FUND FOR AMERICA’S KIDS AND GRANDKIDS
The Fund for America’s Kids and Grandkids is established to fund activities to further government efficiency, and through those efficiencies reduce the overall cost to operate government programs. Funds are not available until the Secretary of the Treasury certifies in the annual Report of the United States Government that the Federal government is operating either at a surplus or zero deficit. The 2017 Report issued by the Secretary of the Treasury on February 15, 2018, reported a deficit of approximately $665,700,000,000.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends an appropriation of $585,000,000 for the Fund for America’s Kids and Grandkids.
Sweet, right?
Did you read it carefully?
Funds are not available until the government is operating at a surplus — are you kidding me — or zero deficit. Oh, by the way, the February 2018 report reflects a $665,700,000,000 deficit. I'll spell it out for you: six hundred and sixty-five trillion, seven hundred billion.
I'm laughing out loud.
So thoughtful to set these funds aside for America's kids and grandkids.
I'm not even sure what comes after a trillion. Zillion? Oh, that sounds cool. Let's do it!
No, I changed my mind. Let's get the deficit down so we can give America's kids and grandkids that five hundred and eighty-five million dollars.
Yes, thoughts count.
What are we thinking year after year as we continue counting our deficit?
"Hey, kids, we've drawn some lovely play money for you. It's the thought that counts."

~ LowTide explorer, Carolyn Fjeran
[LowTide is an eclectic collection of discoveries and reflective writings.]

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