Top Three Takeaways – March 18th, 2021
- Florida’s bright future meets Bright Futures. There’s dissention in the Republican ranks in Tallahassee. Notably for the first time in this year’s state legislative session, Governor DeSantis has spoken out against a prominent GOP led measure to amend Florida’s Bright Futures Scholarship. Ironically the topic has become an issue because of Florida’s K-12 education success. As Florida’s improved from a 58.8% graduation rate to a 90% graduation rate and as Florida’s become the third best state for producing K-12 outcomes, comes a bit of a growing dilemma. How to pay for the bright future of so many Floridians through Florida’s Bright Futures scholarship. What cost the state just $250 million six years ago has zoomed to $650 million most recently. And while the cost of Bright Futures scholarships has risen by 260% in six years, lottery sales, which have grown by 26% over that time, certainty haven’t. Now these are generally good issues to have. But they’re still issues, nonetheless. The question becomes where the money will come from. The future for Florida’s students has never been brighter but Bright Futures Scholarship on the other hand... Something tells me parents will end up happy with the result here but some in the K-12 education establishment...not so much.
- We're forgiving but a little too forgiving. A recent study found that we Americans are the most forgiving people studied in the world. That’s because 76% of us are quick to forgive or overlook injustices. That contrasts with the British who’re the least likely to be forgiving of those who cross them with only 58% who’re willing to forgive and forget those who wrong them. Aside from a likely takeaway that Harry and Megan better be comfortable in Cali because England, let alone the Royal family, likely won’t want them back - comes an interesting dynamic about us. Are we too forgiving? Why is it that Canadians, or even the Chinese are more skeptical than us? And notice those countries don’t have a crisis at their borders. There’s the saying about a healthy degree of skepticism. Maybe the problem we have is that we aren’t skeptical enough to reach healthy levels; else those who choose to break our laws as the first act of arriving in our country and the politicians who enable it wouldn’t be tolerated. I believe in the biblical forgiveness of turning the other cheek, but I also recognize there are ten commandments. There's a need for balance and our country currently lacks it which might explain some of our issues.
- First four to the Final four. Is it going to be played in a “bubble”? Yes. Are 68 teams too many? Yes. Do I care this year? No. That’s because I’ve never cared more about the NCAA tournament in my life. No, I don’t have money on anyone, in fact I haven’t even bothered with a bracket. And yes, both of my teams are in it but because they aren’t the Gators, or Seminoles I’ll not go there (though because Ashley is a Gator, I do pull for them when they aren’t in the way – even though she really doesn’t)… But mostly what this is about for me is the difference a year makes. Of all the elements of our lives as we knew them coming to a stop, it was this tournament not happening last year that I first associated with lockdowns. So, here’s to a brighter future for all of us, or at least for the law aiding types.
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