The Memorial Day observances taking place this weekend stretch back at least to the Civil War, when widows and veterans decorated the graves of the fallen. Shortly after the war, in 1868, Gen. John A. Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued a general order calling for flowers to be placed on the graves at Arlington National Cemetery. His eloquent words in honor of the brave troops who died on both sides still stir our hearts today:

Taxes of any kind or type will always tend to be unfair or unpopular to someone or some group of people. Taxes are a necessary evil; they are the price we pay for our standard of living and the benefits that we enjoy, with out them our standard of living would be very limited.

Going to college is more expensive than ever. The average cost of attending public colleges has nearly doubled in the last 15 years. Given that colleges are so expensive; shouldn’t one expect that college students are more motivated and more dedicated than ever? The answer – surprisingly – is a clear “No.”