George Stahl

 I was all set to write about last week being declared California’s 1st annual Cuss Free week. Well, the State Senate shot that idea all to &#^^, didn’t they.

Last week was almost ‘California No Cuss’ week. So what happened? It all started with a 16-year-old kid coming to the State Capitol with a proposal before the lawmakers. He presented his resolution with drive and dignity. He laid out his plan, making his case so strongly that the Assembly decided to pass it. Here’s a bright, wholesome kid who has started a revolution of sorts, across this country and even branching out internationally. No small feat there!  His stance on not cussing had brought him to Sacramento to present his simple idea turned wildfire to a group of people that are undeniably preoccupied with the monumental task of bringing our State into a reasonable facsimile of balance and fiscal stability. Wow! No small feat there either, uh?

After the Bill was passed through the Assembly it was given to the Senate Rules Committee. There it sits on a dusty shelf along with hundreds of other stagnate proposals waiting for their time on the floor. It’s not in bad company though. Along side of the do-gooder bill is a Department of Education Bill, a Disaster Response Bill, a bill on reform for automotive repair, one about something called a DUI Ignition Interlock,  Income tax Reform Bill, some on helping those with disabilities, a bill having to do with unclaimed property, and a host of others. Some of these have been on that shelf for a long time, not always waiting patiently. Every once in awhile, with the help of their authors they ask about their turn, only to be put back in their positions and told their time will come. It’s sort of like when children interrupt their parents as they are talking about something else. “Go outside and play, mommy and daddy are talking about grown up things.”

The kids go outside, but don’t always play nice with each other. The bills sitting on the shelf  see their situation in a similar way. “Look at the new kid on the block,” the Automotive Bill says, mocking the new arrival.

No Cuss starts getting an uneasy feeling as he looks up and down the dimly lit room.

“His jacket cover says he’s about no cussing in the whole state. No wonder why they put him in here. Imagine those guys out there on the floor being able to handle that!” Unclaimed Property shouts out. The other bills laugh and a couple of pages turn in each of them.

“I thought Income Tax didn’t have a chance. This kid’s got even less of one,” DUI says slowly.

“Don’t get so close,” Automotive says sliding away from DUI.

“Hey kid, don’t worry,” says Disaster Response, turning one of his pages over onto No Cuss’ binding. “You’ll be okay,” he assures No Cuss. No Cuss jumps, startled by a loud thud coming from the floor in front of the shelf.

“There goes Income Tax again,” says Disability Bill.

“He’s jumped three times this year., Disaster says patting No Cuss.

“Why?” No Cuss asks.

“He doesn’t exactly have what you’d call a positive outlook. You know, because of what’s written on his pages,” Education sighs. “But you don’t have to worry. You’re a good, positive idea. I think you’ll be just fine.”

No Cuss sighs and feels grateful for Disaster and Education.

“We’ll all start moving a lot faster as soon as the Senate gets their act together and gets rid of that stubborn Budget Bill,” yells Automotive.

“That bill sat up here for a really long time, constantly complaining. The sooner they deal with him the better!” says Education. No Cuss feels rejuvenated and holds his spine up high. He realizes the other bills are right. Income Tax is making his way back up to the shelf.

Maybe this attempt by a kid who is too young to even vote served as a wake up call to the lawmakers in California. His cause is real, his tenacity is unquestionable, and his timing may be right on. The Senate says they are talking about “grown up things” and he has to wait. Okay, then let’s get on with the task at hand, finish already and make way for the bills on the dusty shelf, to have their day too.

George can be reached at stahl_george@yahoo.com