Day 1 of "The New Deal": I Am An American

An American Creed
I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man (or woman)
It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.
I seek opportunity—not security.
I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.
I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”
By Dean Alfange

Our youngest has asked if a) he can go to the 5A Band Festival early tomorrow (Noble. He's not competing, but watching. His friend's band is one of the first to perform.) and b) he can finish his chores late (dubious). He put down the notebook computer and muted the TV to make this request. Late Friday night. When asked "when" he said "by 6".

"There's still time to have chores done before you leave in the morning," I point out. "and we will not be sympathetic if chores are not done by 6pm." "I know," he said.

We'll see.