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Dickens may have waxed poetic over the blessedness of children, but he never spent dinner time with the Anderson’s. Bud needs extra allowance money, Kathy pokes her food around. Though Betty doesn’t have much drama to bring to the table, Kathy gets confused over what a civics is… or is that, what civics are? Dad tries to explain city government, and the long winded speech lasts through clearing the dishes. Later, Bud is outwitted in borrowing money from his little sister, and dad has a new problem thanks to Kathy.
Taking dad’s civics lesson literally, Kathy has sent a letter to the mayor in his name. Now Jim worries as he waits with the family down at city hall. Standing before the mayor, and with the kids to stick up for dad, he only seems to be in deeper trouble. The mayor thinks that Kathy’s letter, misspelled as it is, presents some very good points. Although being called a crook manages to ignite a fire, and Kathy’s sassy side. Jim will have some explaining to do.
The mayor dishes out a little civics lesson of his own, encouraging Jim, and others to speak up to the politicians, rather than behind their backs, or in private. Later, at the dinner table again, the Anderson’s talk about the results of the confrontation with the mayor. If it works as well as that, will Kathy’s letter to the president get even bigger results?
