Martial Law and the Cupcake

Last night on the news, there was a report on schools that are trying to ban cupcakes, yes cupcakes, at classroom parties. I'm sorry, but isn't that a bit harsh? I mean, they're kids, little kids at that. I understand the principle behind it, but not letting kids enjoy their own classroom birthday parties with their friends is a bit extreme. Little by little, I'm starting to feel like our children, as well as us adults, are slowly being put into a state of Martial Law. I'm sure you think that's a bit extreme, but let me explain.

When I was little, each kid was allowed to bring in cupcakes for their birthday (or cookies, whatever). There was a little party, usually with juice, and everyone was able to enjoy that kid's special day. It didn't matter if everyone was friends or not, but it was time that brought us closer in some little way. It was time we could all share together and remember as we got older. Should this "law" go into effect, our children will lose something that makes childhood special.

I understand removing soda and vending machines from schools. That's fine, simply because the school administration has no control over it. Kids with money will spend it all on sweets and junk food. I know, I used to do it in high school. Sure, you can shut down the machines during classroom hours, but the minute that bell rings and the machines go on, the money starts flowing and the junk food gets eaten. I'll admit, there does need to be some sort of control in this respect (in fact, vending machines should never have been introduced into schools in the first place); however, taking it to the extreme that classroom birthday parties are reduced to "Yeah. It's your birthday" really bugs me.

Other than the home, schools are the number one place to influence children. Kids want to do what their friends are doing, want wear what their friends are wearing, play the sports they want to play, they want to grow into their own person. Instead, they are told no, no, no. No, you can't do this, no you can't do that, no you can't be your own person, no you can't enjoy your own damn birthday. You have to learn Spanish because everyone speaks Spanish in America. You have to know high school level math and science by 6th grade or you'll never make it into college, let alone get a job. More and more, I'm seeing restrictions in schools and in public that are severely handicapping our society.

No more smoking in public places. That's fine. Not everyone smokes, and it is a health hazard. But trying to pass a law that bans you from smoking in your own car and trying to push one that bans smoking outside (which is the only place to smoke other than your home these days), is really pushing it. Cutting down the toll plazas to just a few pay tolls is ridiculous. Not everyone wants EZ-Pass, but they'll keep pushing until the only way to travel on the highway is with EZ-Pass in your window. Being "fined" for doing an in-person transaction at the bank--yeah right, I'll take my business elsewhere (as I did last year thanks to Wachovia's $8 fee included in my account for depositing and withdrawing money from my checking account in person). Raising taxes until people can't afford to live in their homes, yet they have no where else to go because the rates are high everywhere. Cutting down healthcare benefits for the young and old.

What is this world coming to? Actually, I should say, what is this country coming to? America was founded on a strong belief system and the idea of freedom for all. Freedom? What freedom? We're slowly being pushed together into one tight group, with the rich and powerful looking down on us, controlling our every move. That's not what America is supposed to be. Instead, we are supposed to be a country where everyone has a chance and everyone can have a free life, not one filled with restrictions that only damper who we are and who we can become.

It may not be Martial Law in the military sense of the definition, but we're getting there. There is no democracy in America anymore, and if you're not part of "the following", you're losing out. That's what they want you to believe. "This is the way it has to be. We've spent years and tons of money researching it, and this is the way life has to be. Children should be unhappy, the elderly should constantly be sick, and the middle class should really be the lower class." Well guess what? It's not working for me. And if you think you can deny my kid a cupcake on his birthday, then my kid is staying home that day, and we'll eat all the cupcakes all we want. Hell, maybe we'll even drive by the school and throw them at your beautiful luxury cars!