Reply #71: Here in Huntsville, in one of the most affluent counties of Alabama,... [View All]

[Media_Lies_Daily]

...every child must bring to the first day of class a long list of school supplies. This is happening because of the massive cuts in Federal funding in 2001-2002 for education for EVERY state, and the resultant shortfall that was spread out through every single U. S. county and municipality.

Raising state and/or local taxes and/or asking for bond issues is not working because the American people are already stretched to the limits with paying for increases in the costs of gasoline, heating oil, utilities, produce, clothing, health care, etc. Property taxes, state and local sales taxes, and licensing taxes have also gone up in quite a few locations around the country.

So, each family is stuck with the bill for which our tax money should have been paying. Welcome to the new America.

Here is the list required for my first-grader:

SUPPLIES NEEDED FOR FIRST GRADE: cost about $60-$70

FIRST GRADE
1. 12 Glue Sticks (white or purple)
2. 2 Boxes of 24 Crayons (regular size)
3. 2 Eight Packs of Washable Magic Markers (no neon)
4. 4 packs of No. 2 Pencils (40 total)
5. 2 Single-subject Spiral Notebooks (wide-ruled only)
6. Pencil Top Erasers (2 packs)
7. Plain Folders with Horizontal Pockets (2 with prongs and 3 without prongs = 5 total)
8. Small Plastic Supply Box (no larger than 6”x9”)
9. First Grade Writing Supplies (Please purchase from local school to assure correct type - $3.00)
10. 1 Pack of 8 Chisel (Broad) tip dry erase 2 markers (fat)
11. 1 Watercolor Paint Set (8 colors)
12. 1 Pack of Colored Pencils (12 pack)