It has been a while since I heard this song. Driving home from my sister’s while changing radio stations this song came on and I immediately felt like I needed big hair, make up (well not really), odd outfits, and someone or something to rage against. I was riding with Savannah and Joe and we began to talk about the things we wish we could scream “We’re not gonna take it” at. Interestingly, I was Joe’s age when this song came out so I’m sure my list would be similar to his present day list and not that different then Savannah’s either. Savannah was a little tentative at first, but came up with cleaning her room and bed times. Joe hesitated about a millisecond and started a list that included school, cleaning his room, eating healthy food, not being allowed to bring creatures found out doors inside, random destruction of various objects being frowned upon, and honestly I ran out of memory for the rest. Kids are funny!
I am at work today, well kind of, despite the fact that I am supposed to be on vacation so that I can move from one office to another. Generally speaking I don’t care where I sit in front of a computer. Really, what’s the difference? My biggest concern was “does the new building have a shower facility so that I can continue to go on my runs and come back to work?” Once that was affirmed, everything else was just details. However, being here today on “vacation” made me think of a modern day list of “were not going to take it” at the age of 32. To get myself ready I listened and watched the video embedded below (who would have thought I’d be able to watch this video 25 years after the first viewing on my computer by typing in a name to you tube and instantly finding what I wanted? Crazy). Once complete I came up with the following Top 5 things I’m not going to take anymore (in no particular order):
1. Politicians ’nuff said. They suck! Is there one politician out there worth a damn? I mean, weren’t the founding fathers creating a system where serving in Congress was a “service job” along the lines of Peace Corps? It was never supposed to be a profession that voted itself sweet raises and cushy retirements. I can’t say enough bad things about our politicians – it just makes me want to scream were not going to take it anymore!
2. Millionaire’s complaining – whether it is the superstar athlete, mega-movie star, business CEO, or latest lottery winner complaining about anything. You have a enough money, see a therapist. It is not that I think your life is perfect, on the contrary I think money buys more problems then it solves. Its just that I don’t want to hear about it. Coincidentally, did I mention we are down to one TV channel and watching what we want on the Internet? In fact, to the people interviewing mega millionaires so they can complain out loud, were not going to listen!
3. Gas prices – They are high, they suck, but you know what? Until we, as a collective society, give up $3.50 double espresso lattes with a shot of skim milk and light frothing or what the hell ever, we can’t complain. Want things to change? Get rid of your gas guzzler, start car pooling where and when possible, and demand change in the public transportation system by screaming were not gonna take it with action. Until then give up the latte, or quit bitching.
4. The sidewalks in Claremont – I have tried jogging these things for two years now and have seen exactly 3 days of snow removal this winter, and about 200 yards of repair. I’m betting the trail up Mt. Everest is in better shape then some portions of the sidewalk. For the $4,000 + a year in property taxes we pay I would like to see our fine city workers who drive brand new gas guzzling Ford F-350 around town actually do something. Fix the sidewalks, or better yet, solve two problems at once by putting in a bike/running lane and now people can leave their cars at home 6-months a year if they so chose. If this seems to be to much, then just cut my property taxes, half the city workers, and let’s see if we even notice their absence… I’m not going to take this anymore. Maybe I should talk with my therapist about this???
5. Everything Joe and Savannah said…
Now your turn, watch the video and create think about what you don’t want to take anymore…
