Kid Numbers

by Betsy Ashton

Betsy Ashton, born in Washington, DC, was raised in Southern California where she ran wild with coyotes in the hills above Malibu. She protested the war in Vietnam, burned her bra for feminism, and is a steadfast Independent. She is a writer, a thinker, the mother of three grown stepchildren, companion and friend. She mentors writers and writes and publishes fiction. Her first mystery, Mad Max Unintended Consequences, was published in February 2013. The second in the series, Uncharted Territory, A Mad Max Mystery, came out in April 2015. In her spare time, she is the president of the state-wide Virginia Writers Club. She loves riding behind her husband on his motorcycle. You’ll have to decide for yourself if and where she has a tattoo.

November 30, 2015

049ba-moneybagsI don’t know about you, but I fatigued by the continually reiteration of kid numbers. You remember kid numbers. “There must be a bazillion names on that wall.” “I want a gazillion pieces of candy on Halloween.”

I feel that way about the word “trillion.” You’ll correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the first state with a trillion dollar budget might have been California. The first US city might have been New York. Now, both run trillion dollar deficits. I can’t wrap my head around a trillion.

I listen to arguments from both political parties about trillion dollar spending bills and trillion dollar deficits. The argument falls on deaf ears. I have trillion dollar fatigue. No longer am I shocked by these kid numbers. No longer do arguments to spend more, tax less, cut budgets mean anything. Just a bunch of hot air. I know you won’t agree with me. That’s your Constitutional right. Blow off your steam. Accuse me of siding with one candidate or another. You’d be wrong.

I’m cranky. I’m tired of men and women running for president who only play for sound bites. Even during debates when really good questions are asked that would give a candidate a chance to stand out, we get mere sound bites. Issues, pissues. No one cares. That’s another level of fatigue. Maybe I’m just tired of the whole political process that has gone on waaaay too long.

No matter who wins, we will get the president we deserve. And that’s the topic of a later blog.

For now, Christmas is coming. I hope I can keep a positive attitude. Maybe I’ll turn off all news programs. Now, THAT is an idea. A good one. That would make me forget the politicians and their posturing. Until then, I hope Santa brings me gazillion pieces of dark chocolate.

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3 Comments

  1. Dean Robertson

    Good morning, Betsy Ashton, You always make me think and make me laugh. One of these days we’ll have to shake hands and eat some chocolate together 🙂 Maybe even a gazillion pieces. Meanwhile, and FYI, I stopped watching the news a few years ago. I literally do not turn it on, ever. I can’t describe the relief that has been. I have the NYTimes online at the bargain price of $15/month, and I often start my day with that. I scan the headlines to be sure the world hasn’t ended, but mostly I read the op-ed section where I find thoughtful and well-crafted essays and, for the most part, intelligent comments by informed readers. It’s about all the news I can tolerate. What’s going on out there is way too much for this old gal. I have spent over fifty years on the front lines of the political causes of this country I call home, and I think it was important work, but I’m nearly 70, I’m tired, and I honestly don’t feel I have anything to contribute to the current state of this union of ours. So I’m going to keep writing and keep taking care of my dear seven-month-old grandson, and believe that’s enough good energy to put into the stream of life. I hope I’m right. Thank you again.

    • betsyashton

      Hi Dean Robertson, I figured this would catch your eye. I’m an unrepentant news junkie. I too have been on the front lines and behind the lives if working for my country. I’ve been arrested but never charged. I’ve been spat on, shoved and shouted at, but I’ve kept going. While I’d love to march for Black Lives Matter, no one is marching in Roanoke. Now, as I am nearer 70 than 60, I do more of my work quietly. I want my grands to have as good a life as they can, to be safe and to be well-educated. Those three things will let them decide how they want to live their lives.

      We will eat a gazillion pieces of chocolate one day. For me, they need to be consumed with a latte (at any time of the day or night). Be well

    • betsyashton

      Hi Dean Robertson, I figured this would catch your eye. I’m an unrepentant news junkie. I too have been on the front lines and behind the lives if working for my country. I’ve been arrested but never charged. I’ve been spat on, shoved and shouted at, but I’ve kept going. While I’d love to march for Black Lives Matter, no one is marching in Roanoke. Now, as I am nearer 70 than 60, I do more of my work quietly. I want my grands to have as good a life as they can, to be safe and to be well-educated. Those three things will let them decide how they want to live their lives.

      We will eat a gazillion pieces of chocolate one day. For me, they need to be consumed with a latte (at any time of the day or night). Be well