In elementary school, I loved recess.
It was a time to break loose, shun school work, burn off some energy and get out from under the firm rule of the teacher. But when junior high came, that little thing called recess had vanished.
I bring this up because I find it rather curious that our state lawmakers decided last week to head home for "Recess" without dealing with legislation to address our crumbling roads, roads that pose a danger to safety and have resulted in a lot of people pouring money into new tires and car repairs. Not to mention, who knows how many accidents, or even deaths, those roads have caused.
If these lawmakers were kids -- and maybe they are, maturity-wise -- I could understand them heading home for recess before their school work was done. But this isn't elementary school.
You don't head out to the playground at 11:15 a.m. and bailout at 3:15 p.m. when the bell rings. In the adult world, you stick around, you skip recess, you stay after school, you finish dealing with the pressing issues of the day, particularly when they can potentially mean the difference between life and death.
That said, I propose changes at the state Capitol.
Instead of lawmakers caucusing privately to discuss legislation, I propose they gather for a milk and cookie session.
Instead of Gov. Rick Snyder simply meeting with key lawmakers, I suggest a play date.
Instead of errant lawmakers being censured, I suggest they get a timeout.
And I suggest we use these terms until our state lawmakers decide to grow up and act adults.
