“难道孩子不重要吗？”女儿气呼呼地问。
我不知道她的气打哪儿冒出来的，“当然重要啦。”
“那么州长为什么要消减学校的经费呢？”
“我怎么知道？我又不是州长。”
于是就有了女儿给州长的一封信，她给州长电邮了过去。
这就是信的全文：
Dear Governor Brown,
I think that the government shouldn’t cut the budget on educational programs. Well, first of all, you should know that I am a 9-year-old child. So, why not just delete this message and forget about it? You really shouldn’t cut the budget. Okay, you’re probably thinking that this is just another boring old e-mail about the same boring old topic, or something like that.
You have probably seen all those signs and brochures that say that children are the future of America. If not, I suggest that you take a walk around the neighborhood first. Well, what do they say? Children are the future of America.
Now, what are the reasons of the budget cuts? There is a budget deficit. Or, to put it bluntly, the state of California doesn’t have enough money. I am not suggesting that the government not to get money. I am simply stating a fact. Well, anyways, back to our original topic. Since there is a budget deficit, you are cutting the schools’ budgets. From your point of view, it might not be reasonable, but it is inevitable.
One way to get more money could be to raise taxes on cigarettes, cigarette lighters, fast food, and wine. They are bad for people’s health anyways. I think people could do without them. Well, as long as it doesn’t cut money from school’s budgets, health care, or any other important thing, it will be fine with me. I will most likely support it.
From,
Hermione
女儿的信还有个中译本：
亲爱的布朗州长：
我是一个九岁的小学生，不要因此撕了我的信，也不要看了打瞌睡。我希望政府不要裁减学校经费，难道小孩子不是美国的未来吗？请你到我们社区来看一看，我们做了许多反对的标牌。我知道加州有太少的钱，但是你可以涨香烟、打火机、快餐馆和酒的税，那些东西都不利于大家的健康。
州长助理給女儿回了信，叫她不要担心，大人们会解决问题的。大半年过去了，财政赤字，预算危机，这些问题依然困扰着加里福尼亚州。