Leap Day - Part Two

Yesterday was Leap Day for 2012. I hope you had a great one and did something special. In Midland, Texas seven babies were born on this day. One of the parents already said he is going to count his daughter’s age only by Leap Years. When his daughter thinks she is sixteen and wants to drive the family care, Daddy will tell her that she has only had four birthdays and therefore is too young to drive the car, and particularly too young to date. Personally I am not holding my breath for that one. I suspect that this young lady will have had several boyfriends and a couple of speeding tickets by the time she reaches her “fourth” birthday.

Actually I have been thinking about some modern uses for Leap Day, and I believe I have come up with some good things that could be done on Leap Day every Leap Year. First, why pay federal income tax every single year? Just think of the administrative costs that could be saved if taxes had to be filed each LEAP DAY. I can hear the IRS screaming now. It’s just a thought!

For school students, why not decree that those children must take the TAKS each and every February 29th? Along with that decree would be the requirement that teachers could only begin “preparing” the students for their test six months before the upcoming Leap Day test. Wouldn’t it be great if students could actually “learn” for at least three out of every four years?

What about the United States presidential election? Yes, I know it already occurs during each Leap Year, but I would like to add a new twist. Instead of the seemingly endless campaigning, with the associated huge political contributions and accompanying cronyism, I submit to you that we should limit the presidential campaign to only the months of January and February of each election year. In January the candidates could campaign until the 15th of the month. The remainder of the month would be dedicated to primary elections. In Leap February, the winners of the primaries would have another five days to make their final campaign appearances. The election would then be held. The results of the election would be vetted by the fifteenth day of February, leaving our new president another two weeks to be briefed and “brought up to speed” by inauguration day, Leap Day!

These ideas of mine for a better use of Leap Day are “tongue in cheek” ideas, but really only half so. I am somewhat serious as I write this blog. Why not just one scholastic achievement test, if such a test is needed at all? After all, students must pass tests and otherwise prove they have gained the required knowledge at many points during each school year. As to students who have NOT achieved passing levels, THAT is already known too, AND without the need for a separate (and federally mandated) achievement test. As to national elections, why should we be forced to endure (and finance!) two years of presidential campaigns? Again, I am sure many people would love to see the campaign season whittled down very drastically. As to income tax only every fourth year, do not hold your breath for that one. Income taxes will be an annual requirement for years to come, as long as there is a United States of America.

Thanks, everyone, and have a happy Leap Year!