MARATHONS +
Read the history of this race of endurance and you will find that the distance from the battle for which the race was named to the place where news was delivered was about 24 miles. But it was the English Monarchy which determined that 26.2 miles was right. Early Olympic races couldn’t settle on a standard distance, most being about 25 miles. But the monarchy put their fingers into the pot and out popped 26.2 miles (approximately). For them it had to start in front of Windsor Castle and end in front of the Royal Viewing Box at the finish line 26.2 miles away. 26.2 miles is the fault of the British.
So, should we allow the British Crown to determine how long our races are in America? Maybe it is time to dump some more “tea!” No more 13.1 stickers on car bumpers. We should have our very own AMERICAN Marathon. (I recommend exactly 24 miles. Why not!)
The result will be new world records. Fewer dead runners. More people able to go to supper at a decent time. In other words, very American. I think the world is ready for it, too! Cambodia would join us (that’s a joke, by the way).
HIDING SCHOOL DATA?
A recent report by Axios suggests that some school districts (actually MANY) are making it difficult for parents to find local school data about absenteeism, student achievement, and graduation rates. I don’t know whether to believe the report or not. I do know that prior to COVID much of this kind of data was readily available to parents and others. In some locations it was published regularly by local papers. Recently, I don’t recall seeing ANY published local school data.
So, is it true? Are they hiding important data from the parents and others? If so, for what purpose? After all, parents are the ones “blamed” when “Johnny” or “Susie” cause trouble or fail to learn. So, if true, is it an oversight, or is there a sinister reason? If false, why have we not seen a similar number of published articles about school performance as prior to COVID?
Show me it isn’t so.
PRICE GOUGING?
Recently some politicians (and others) have been claiming that grocery stores are inflating the prices to make higher profits. It seems true until one looks at a few facts.
A recent study showed that grocery stores had an overall markup of 6.7% in 2002. That’s tiny! Your phone service has a markup of over 14%. Health insurance programs have a “listed” markup of 8% (but the actual is often over 20% when you include their associated businesses which also make profits from the premiums).
So it was 6.7% in 2002 for grocery stores, what is it in 2024? 6.8% Does that sound awful? It shouldn’t. Since 2002 their profit level has been mostly below 6% and they were struggling due to rising crime (stolen goods) and rising wages. They have also had to invest in technology and expensive loss prevention programs. So, the cost of groceries has almost nothing to do with profit. It has to do with liability insurance rate increases, looting, increasing costs ELSEWHERE, in other words. Who is to blame for those elsewhere costs? Wage increases and inflation. The stores have nothing to do with those … they are the realm of government.
CREDIT CARD FORGIVENESS?
Unlikely! Ask yourself one question, “How does a credit card provider make a PROFIT by allowing you to NOT pay the bill?” Answer: They don’t. Truthfully no business is in business to lose money. Forget going that route. Many “forgiveness programs” are scams anyway.
The best way out of credit card debt has 3 parts: Buy far less on credit. Pay far more. Repeat.
Second best: Stop buying on credit altogether (100% stop), and then get a personal loan to pay the credit balance. Your credit card company is charging in excess of 20% interest. A personal loan usually has an interest rate around 14%. If you do it in this order you will be out of debt faster. You MUST destroy your credit cards so you won’t be tempted to use them. (Also, disconnect auto-payments from your credit cards and stop online purchasing.) Don’t forget that if you don’t reduce outgo you can’t solve this problem.
[PLEASE NOTE that Don is always open to discussing the thoughts and opinions he shares here and welcomes comments as shared in the comment section. He doesn’t use other social media platforms and won’t see whatever you’d like to share with him if you post it elsewhere.
ALSO, Don is always open to offer his thoughts on various topics. If you have a specific request, you can let him know in a comment; he reads – and replies to – them all. ~ Sherry]
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