The point is: What happened to the notion you’re supposed to do the right thing – even when no one is watching?”

We’ve had SO many examples lately demonstrating what happens when this fundamental value is not followed. I give you last week’s headline concerning presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney. Mr. Romney claims he can’t remember the bullying incident at his prep school during which he was a willing participant. He can’t remember helping other teenagers hold down a screaming classmate while they cut off the boy’s hair. Mr. Romney says he was always a prankster, and can’t recall this particular incident. REALLY? REALLY? C’mon Mr. Romney, wouldn’t it have been better if you’d admitted you are embarrassed by this event coming to light? Maybe you could have said that it caused you to change your behavior and become more compassionate. Mr. Romney, this was a perfect time to demonstrate leadership and character. Instead, you bobbed and weaved. I was hoping for better.

But then, I hoped for better from another politician: former presidential hopeful and U.S. Senator, John Edwards. Look how that’s turned out. His corruption trial has brought ugly truths to light and shown Mr. Edwards as a man with no shame. No integrity here. A few weeks back, there were the Secret Service agents who decided since they were in a foreign country they wouldn’t possibly get caught. Only they did. Their off-the-reservation behavior shamed their agency and put a sitting president at risk.

What can we do about any of this? Be aware. The choices we make, do make a difference. That’s what we should be teaching the youngsters. Getting away with stuff doesn’t work. Sooner or later, there is a price to pay. Is it worth the gamble? Doing the right thing feels good, and the payoff can be great. It can seem that in the impersonal world of the Internet and social networking the rules don’t apply. REALLY? REALLY? Don’t bet on it!

*Mary Jane McKittrick is a former television news anchor, reporter, and producer, turned award-winning author of the Boomer and Halley series for ages 4-8. The Boomer and Halley project promotes a four-legged approach to PAWSitive behavior with embedded life lessons that inspire character, civility, and integrity.

Children’s Book Teaches Kids Importance of Political Participation

Election Day

RALEIGH, NC–(Marketwire – November 23, 2011) – According to the figures compiled by The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, a project by Tufts University, youth voting in presidential elections has been inching up in recent years. In 2008, 51 percent of voters ages 18 to 30 voted, up 2 percent from the 2004 elections. Mary Jane McKittrick, author of the children’s book “Election Day,” part of the Boomer and Halley series (www.boomerandhalley.com), wants to keep those numbers climbing.

“I believe children need more than just a history lesson about democracy,” said McKittrick, a former broadcast journalist who studied speech communication in college. “Kids need to be shown how the democratic process works and how people can make changes locally and around the country.”

McKittrick suggests parents can help teach their kids about democracy by doing the following:

•Vote — It’s difficult to teach your child about the election process if you don’t vote. You should make a point to vote, and when age-appropriate, bring your children with you when you do. If you vote via absentee ballot, show your child the form and explain how important it is to make sure your vote counts.

•Connect Laws to Their Lives — Children may not have a frame of reference for how a law is passed, but they encounter government in action practically every day. When there is road construction on the way to school, it represents tax dollars being spent to improve the community. When they see campaign signs all around during an election cycle, it’s another opportunity to explain what it’s all about.

•Don’t Talk Politics, Talk Issues — Politics can be boring for kids, and they may not have a frame of reference for it. But issues, like whether the school year should be longer or why they take standardized tests at school, can be discussed easily because it’s relevant to their lives. Ask questions like “If you could make the rules, what would you do?” It will get them thinking and caring about democracy and their role in it.

About Mary Jane McKittrick

Mary Jane McKittrick is the creator, author, producer and publisher of the Boomer and Halley books for ages 4-8. The books feature Boomerang, an Australian shepherd dog, and Halley’s Comet, a silver streak of a cat, teaching core values in a fun-filled way.

Edna and her family traveled to the Palmetto State hoping to ask the presidential candidates questions about issues important to her town. Instead, she heard all about money managers and personal attacks. It was all a bit much for Edna.

“Honey,” I don’t know what to think.  “I’m a bit discouraged.”

Harold pats her hand. “Oh, come on now. You’ve never been one to give up so easily. Look what you were able to accomplish as a first-time candidate. That was somethin’.”

Boomer barks and starts chewing on his favorite bone. Halley snoozes on her cushy window seat.

Edna smiles. “You’re right,” she sayd. “Boomer is so happy about the Watchdog Committee we put into place to make sure Mayor Fibbs and all our elected officials are accountable to us. Boom still thinks he’s in charge of that group!”

Harold smiles. “And, don’t forget how you energized the whole town to clean up our act and pay more attention to the needs of our neighbors. That was huge!”

The TV is on and something she hears catches Edna’s attention. “Wait a minute. What is this about Super Pacs? They’re not talking football are they Harold?”

Harold turns up the sound. “No they’re talking about groups that are throwing a lot of money at the candidates to influence the outcome of the contests. Wow.”

Edna has started to pace the room. She is once again acting like a woman on a mission. “Sweetheart, I’ve got an idea!”

Harold looks askance. “Uh-oh. You have that look again. Should I be concerned?”

Tune in next time to find out what Edna has in mind and what role Boomer and Halley will play in this next episode!

“Everyone ready?” asks Edna. Harold tosses his bag onto the back seat. “I still can’t believe you talked me into taking off work to do this,” he grumbles. Edna pats his hand. “Don’t be an ‘ol Pooh, Harold. The Nuts ‘N Bolts hardware store will still be there when we get back.” With that, a resolved Harold hit the gas and grabs the wheel. “OK, we’re off!”

Boomer is rummaging through a colorful box labeled, TOYS.  ”Hey, Halley, have you seen our favorite sun glasses?” asks Boomerang, the Australian Shepherd. The silver streak of a cat looks at him with disdain. “They’re in the bag labeled, Boomerang and Halley’s Comet.” Boomer is nosing around. “Where?” he asks. Halley points. “There!”

Edna is looking through the file she brought. “I think it’s so great that all these people wrote suggestions for questions that we can ask the candidates.” Harold adjusts his rear view mirror. “Well, the contest in The Shady Pines Gazette was a stroke of genius.” Edna agrees. “We’ve gotten input from old and young. That Zulah Talmadge is a clever gal.” Harold nods in agreement. “She is one heck of an editor, too.”

To better understand why the Sanders’ family is heading to Palmetto State, one has to go back to the events of last fall. You see, Edna belongs to the local Common Sense Party and has no affiliation with the Republicans. But, ever since she challenged Mayor Beauregard Fibbs and his Gimme Party to a debate during the Special Election, Edna has been revved up about politics. That experience showed her how someone with no political background can hold a politician accountable for wrong-doing by getting involved and taking action. Now Edna is trying to take that gumption one step further by actually challenging the candidates for president to talk about the issues that are important to her small Southern town.

“I just can’t wait to get there,” says Edna. “There are so many things I want to find out.” Harold smiles. “I’d like to find out about the best places to eat.” Edna laughs. “That’s not a bad idea either. Wasn’t it lucky I found a hotel that takes pets.”

“Boomer,” hisses Halley. “Did you hear that?” Boomer is busy looking out the window. “What?” Halley pushes him with her paw. “We’re going to stay at a hotel and eat fancy food.” Now the silly cat has his attention. “You know something Halley? “I think I could get to likin’ this politic stuff.”

And, with that, Sweet Pea carries the Sanders’ family across the state line into South Carolina!

“Scoop, there’s real excitement about our Edna Sanders going to South Carolina for the Republican Primary,” says Zulah. Scoop struggles with his gear. “I thought Mayor Beauregard Fibbs gave you some great stuff on the record.” Zulah agrees.

“He really did. That Special Election where Edna and the Common Sense Party challenged him and his Gimme Party after he stole all that money, was something none of us will ever forget. But Beau was very gracious and encouraging of Edna’s increased civic responsibility.”

Scoop agrees. “Edna never seemed that interested in politics before. But boy, once she and Harold turned their house into election headquarters – something changed.”

Zulah stops rummaging in her bag and looks up. “Scoop, you’re right. Remember how so many people got involved volunteering for her? Even their four-legged “kids” Boomer and Halley got into the act.” Zulah and Scoop take a moment to remember the scene in the Sanders’ kitchen where phones were ringing off the hook.

“Everyone got energized with the idea that they could turn the town around,” says Scoop. “Even the kids I go to school with were helping out on weekends. It was really cool.”

Zulah is scribbling some notes. “I want to capture what’s going on here.  ‘When people of all ages feel can make a difference, they get motivated and make things happen.’ How does that sound, Scoop?”

“That’s the way it happened – and is happening. Have you seen some of the suggested questions coming into the Gazette Hotline?”

Zulah had to admit she hadn’t looked for a day or so. She likes the idea of the newspaper holding a contest offering prizes for the best questions Edna can ask the candidates when she meets them. “Are there some good submissions?”

Scoop can’t wait to tell her. “Oh, Ms Talmadge, we’re getting input from kids and older folks on all kinds of subjects. They’re interested in pocketbook topics and civility – things that aren’t getting a lot of national airtime – but should!”

Zulah whoops and hollers. “Scoop, back to the office! That’s the story we have to get out!”

Scoop skedaddles after her. “I’m on it, Ms. Talmadge!”

“Harold, why are the presidential hopefuls so off track, and why do Boomerang and Halley’s Comet have all that energy?” asks Edna as the Australian Shepherd dog and silver streak of a cat zoom past her.

“I dunno, Honey,” responds a sleepy Harold. “The candidates don’t seem to address the high cost of food, fuel, child care, education, elder care, and all the issues that matter most to families. They’re so busy with fringe issues and personal attacks.”

Edna nods in agreement. “Yea, they don’t seem to hear what the protesters and small-town America are really sayin.”

Harold continues. “As for our four-legged kids, ever since you announced you were running for mayor a while back, Boomer and Halley think politics is a race to somewhere important.”

“Well, it certainly is a marathon,” says Edna. “I learned that when I challenged our misguided Mayor Beauregard Fibbs in that Special Election. That man has so much trouble tellin’ the truth!”

Harold chuckles and fills his coffee mug. “That he does, My Sweet. But you got him straightened out, and you helped the town to pay attention so he couldn’t run off with the money again.”

“Well, basically ‘ole Beau is a good guy,” says Edna. “He just got greedy. And shame on all of us for not watching him more closely.”

Harold wanders over to the kitchen desk and picks up the latest edition of The Shady Pines Gazette. “Hey, have you seen this?”

Edna looks up. “Seen what?”

“It says here that editor Zulah Talmadge is having a contest that’s linked to your idea to go and meet the candidates in person!”

Now Edna is interested. “What? Let me see.” Edna reads the article. “Oh for cryin’ in the soup. People can get a prize for suggested questions I can carry to the presidential candidates. That’s great!”

Harold claps his hands. Boomer barks. Halley meows. “Edna, you’ve done it again. Everyone in town – old and young – will have a chance to participate and possibly, win!”

Edna is circling the kitchen like she always does when she gets excited. “Every town in America should hear about this! We have to get organized. The South Carolina primary is not that far off! It’s time for the Sanders family to once again hit the campaign trail.”

Please feel free to offer you suggested questions for Edna through Comments. This Blog is written by author, Mary Jane McKittrick, and is not intended to endorse any candidate or political party. The Boomer and Halley Project promotes civic responsibility through fun, family, and community involvement. 

Shady Pines Community Center Director

As a mom with a baby to raise, Rita knows how hard it is to make ends meet these days. “It’s been such a challenge to maintain the quality of programs people have come to expect when the center’s budget has been cut so deeply. At home, my husband and I face the same difficulty.”

Rita has been told she can expect anywhere from 150 people – or more – to show up tonight. “I’m thrilled to see our community get involved and start to realize we all need to pay attention. That Special Election we held between Edna and Mayor Beauregard Fibbs taught all of us a big lesson. We really had fallen asleep at the wheel by letting our politicians run amok without consequences, and Shady Pines was the worse for it.”

The phone rings. “What?” gasps Rita. “We could have 250 people? Oh, my gosh!”

Meanwhile, over at Nuts ‘N Bolts hardware store, owner Harold Sanders is holding court at his soda fountain. He still can’t believe his family may actually be heading to New Hampshire tomorrow.

“Hey, Harold,” asks a young man slurping his milkshake. “Are you and Edna taking Boomerang and Halley’s Comet with you?” Harold thinks about his beloved dog and cat for a moment.

“I guess so,” says Harold as he adds a scoop of ice cream to a glass filled with root beer. “We can hardly leave the kids out of this kind of learning experience.”

A young girl agrees. “I love the contest Zulah is running in the Gazette to contribute questions for Edna to ask the candidates. I want to know what they’re going to do about education.”

Fred, who runs The Corner Grocer, wants to know what these hopefuls are going to do about the rising cost of food. Maggie, of Maggie‘s Diner, wants to know about the price of health care and how it impacts her bottom line as a small business owner. And so on…

Everyone agrees to meet up later at the Community Center to watch tonight’s debate. Harold just shakes his head. “Guess I’d better get home and start packing,” he says. ” I have no idea what I have to wear in that kind of cold!”

“I just can’t believe it, Zulah,” says the incredulous mayor. “Edna Sanders is hauling Harold and Boomer and Halley to the next presidential primary? She wants to tell them they’re not addressing some important issues?”

“That’s right, Beau,” says Zulah. “Ever since her race against you in the Special Mayor Election, Edna takes civic responsibility very seriously.”

“Well, good for her,” says Fibbs. “You know if more people got involved and really cared like she does, we might have better outcomes!

Zulah is scribbling like mad. “May I quote you, Mayor Fibbs?”

Fibbs stand up a bit taller. “You sure may. This gives me an idea, Zulah. Let’s run a contest in The Gazette, challenging folks young and old to make suggestions to Edna. They can tell her what they’d like to discuss with those presidential politicians if they were there!”

Zulah puts down her pen and just stares at him. “Mayor, that’s a good idea.”

“You don’t have to look so shocked,” says Fibbs.

Zulah is pacing in a circle. She does that when she’s thinking. “We can put it online and on social network sites and get the young people involved. You know they’re dropping out of voting in droves. And, best of all, Edna can carry the town’s suggestions with her.”

“And the prize,” offers Mayor Fibbs, “Is a day of shadowing me to see what it takes to run a place like this!”

Zulah considers this for a moment.”Uh-yea. We may need a better prize.”

The mayor looks hurt. “Huh?”

In the meantime, Zulah is considering the widespread media exposure this plan could garner. She and Scoop have got to move fast. She grabs her cell phone from her purse.

“Who are you calling?” asks the mayor.

Zulah looks flabbergasted. “Isn’t it obvious? I’ve got to find Scoop. While I write the story, he has to work his magic with the computer. You know I can’t figure out any of that technical stuff.”

Beauregard shakes his head. Ever since they were in grade school together, he’s considered Zulah a quirky gal. “Am I’m going to make the front page?”

Politicians. “Yes, Beau, you’ll be above the fold like always.”

Zulah’s phone rings. It’s Scoop. “Bye Mayor. Got to go. Thank you!”

Beauregard P. Fibbs mutters under his breath, “Reporters.”

Zulah Talmadge

She jumps up and yells for her cub reporter who she could swear was right there a minute ago. “Scoop, Scoop, where are you?”

A lanky teenager with a a shock of red hair peers around the corner carrying a camera. “I’m over here, Ms. Talmadge. What’s up?”

Zulah scurries over to him with her notepad. “I just got a phone tip that Edna Sanders is hauling Harold, along with Boomer and Halley, up to New Hampshire for the primary.”

Scoop looks confused. “Why does she want to do that?”

Zulah can’t believe the question. Has she taught her young apprentice, nothing? “Scoop,” she says slowly, “It’s our job to find that out!”

“Oh, right.” says Scoop, looking at his feet.

Zulah is already in motion. “Get your camera gear and recording equipment together young man. We’re heading for the Sanders’ home on Dogwood Drive. But first, I need to call Mayor Fibbs and get a reaction quote from him.”

Scoop begins to perk up. “Should we head to the soda fountain in Harold’s hardware store to see what people are saying?”Zulah claps her hands. “Now you’re thinking like a reporter, Scoop. Good for you!”

“Thanks Ms. Talmadge.”

Zulah is on a roll. “ In addition to Nuts ‘N Bolts harware, we might also want to go by Fred’s Corner Grocer and Pet’s Galore and Maggie’s Diner….”

Scoop, now struggling with all his gear, looks up for a moment. “This is a really big deal, isn’t it?”

Zulah spins around. “That what I’ve been trying to tell you! Now shake a leg, Scoop-Man. We got a former candidate on her way to confront the current presidential hopefuls.”

“I’m right behind you, Ms. Talmadge!”

Harold looks up from his newspaper and considers his wife’s complaint. “Well the Iowa Caucus is just the first step,” the hardware store owner points out. “There will be a contest here in the South before long. What do you want to hear from these candidates?”

Edna is re-filling her coffee mug. ” I want them to show leaadership. I want someone to stand up, be honest and tell us how we’re going to change things from the bottom-up in this country – instead of from the top down.”

Harold peers over his reading glasses and realizes his feisty wife is fired up. “I get the feeling that your experience in that race with Mayor Fibbs taught you something important, Honey.”

“It’s absolutely did,” acknowledges Edna. “When Beauregard took off with the town’s funds, everyone in Shady Pines got angry with him.”

Harold puts the paper down. “Well, as you recall, the whole community was showing signs of decay,” Edna is now pacing in the brighly lit kitchen. “I realize that,” she says. “But, no one wanted to admit that we let him get away with it ’cause we weren’t paying any attention. We got so busy with our own stuff, we didn’t hold him accountable.”

Harold chuckles. “As I recall, that all changed when you ran against him in the Special Election. Now we have that Watchdog Committee in place and all sorts of other devices to get people involved. Why, you even got Boomer and Halley in the act with that Pet Care Project.”

Edna walks over and hugs her husband. “Doesn’t it seem better when the folks in Shady Pines work together to solve problems? Mayor Fibbs has a role in that, of course, but he’s not the be-all, end-all.”

Harold smiles. “No wonder you make a find politician, Mrs. Sanders.” All of sudden, he gets nervous. “Edna, what are you thinking?”

Edna is at the computer looking at Maps.”Harold, how far is it from here to New Hampshire? That’s the next stop for the presidential hopefuls, right?”

Harold is speechless. “You’re kidding, right?”

Edna has that look of determination in her eye. “Boomer, Halley, get your dog and cat toys packed, kids. We’re heading north on a little road trip!”

The next thing anyone passing by the Sanders’ home on Dogwood Drive across from CopyCat Lane might hear is Harold’s plaintive wail, “EDNAAAAAAA!”