A Poor Spy (originally entitled It's a Regular Life)
As a self-deputized spy for the United States of America, I have started a new internship with the Czech Republic Government's Department of Information on European Affairs. My daily doings include ordering "Appletini - shaken, not stirred" and saying "Wong - Fred Wong." The office's charge is informing the Czech public about European Union affairs and my duties are totally up to me in reaching that aim. Quite exciting. And everyone is young and delightful and we are ready to EU all over Czech. And the other intern is Kari Lipshutz - who by the way can dance like no other.
I woke up today to snow snow snow all over Prague. It gave the city a nice Soviet flavor. Though it is raining now. And I was doing my taxes and fafsa form this morning - and I was reminded that I.am.poooor. when I reviewed my account statements. Like - $12 a day poor (until I go back home). Because of my state, I will probably be taxed of a ginormous amount because we live in a taxing system that honors those who wouldn't mind an extra Land Rover or winter house in Aspen. AND then I will be penalized for being a college student by the heart-breaking budget proceedings:
The ongoing House budget reconciliation is pissing me off. It proposes to cut almost $13 Billion from student loan programs and to up the burden on college parents by $2 Billion by increasing interest rates on college loans. I wrote a letter to my Representative, Joe Knollenberg (pictured and whom I campaigned against in 2002) and he got back really quick (as expected from any multi-term congressman with a disciplined constituency cases outfit) - with a saddening letter that discussed his congressman's kids' situations in college. I don't need Joe Knollenberg to tell me what my poorness means to him. I need him to discuss the issues - and I DARE HIM to JUSTIFY THIS COSTLY WAR and to JUSTIFY MAKING THE TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH PERMANENT. WHAT?!?!?
Anyway, I am getting into the groove of this life and it is thrilling - thrilling to know my way around Wenceslas Square and Namesti Miru and to shop at Albert and cook dinners with blue cheese and klobasa and to walk like I do in New York except there's cobblestone beneath my soles and to admire buildings for the centuries they've endured and, for a change, to steep in a zeitgeist of political hope.
I only wish I could work for money and earn my keep.
I woke up today to snow snow snow all over Prague. It gave the city a nice Soviet flavor. Though it is raining now. And I was doing my taxes and fafsa form this morning - and I was reminded that I.am.poooor. when I reviewed my account statements. Like - $12 a day poor (until I go back home). Because of my state, I will probably be taxed of a ginormous amount because we live in a taxing system that honors those who wouldn't mind an extra Land Rover or winter house in Aspen. AND then I will be penalized for being a college student by the heart-breaking budget proceedings:
The ongoing House budget reconciliation is pissing me off. It proposes to cut almost $13 Billion from student loan programs and to up the burden on college parents by $2 Billion by increasing interest rates on college loans. I wrote a letter to my Representative, Joe Knollenberg (pictured and whom I campaigned against in 2002) and he got back really quick (as expected from any multi-term congressman with a disciplined constituency cases outfit) - with a saddening letter that discussed his congressman's kids' situations in college. I don't need Joe Knollenberg to tell me what my poorness means to him. I need him to discuss the issues - and I DARE HIM to JUSTIFY THIS COSTLY WAR and to JUSTIFY MAKING THE TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH PERMANENT. WHAT?!?!?Anyway, I am getting into the groove of this life and it is thrilling - thrilling to know my way around Wenceslas Square and Namesti Miru and to shop at Albert and cook dinners with blue cheese and klobasa and to walk like I do in New York except there's cobblestone beneath my soles and to admire buildings for the centuries they've endured and, for a change, to steep in a zeitgeist of political hope.
I only wish I could work for money and earn my keep.
posted by Fred at 2:09 PM
1 Comments:
Frederick --
I was searching for articles on Knollenberg and I found your blog.
My advice to you while you are in Europe is to travel, travel, travel. See everything you can see. As a student I am sure you are aware of the discounts on the trains and the availability of hostels there.
Our world would be a better place if more Americans traveled to other countries. It is much harder to consider attacking or bombing a country that you have traveled in and met people and recall with fondness.
That though is not why I am writing -- I am writing because I saw that you campaigned against him in 2002. Well I am running against him in 2006.
If you are looking for something to do in your spare time, we need volunteers.
Good luck with your education.
I know it is frighteningly expensive, but I am proud to know that we have bright and bold students like you to help change the direction this Country is headed.
Rhonda Ross
www.ross4congress.org
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