Watching the news and seeing teachers protesting legislation proposed by Wisconsin's newly elected Governor...gave me pause...
I believe that PARENTS are the PRIMARY TEACHERS of children...
Teachers are merely extensions of the teaching authority placed upon parents...
Frankly, I'm not thrilled about the successful ability of teachers in general to provide children with the necessary skills needed to provide children with an education that is adequate for the children to assume their roles in society...
Moreover, society in general clearly evidences the inadequacies, if not downright failure, of our education system...
Gone are the days when teachers taught because of vocation...a calling to dedicate their lives and careers to selflessly instructing the masses...at less than adequate wages...
Now, many choose a career in teaching primarily because of remuneration, benefits, and retirement plans...
Right or wrong, that reason for a career choice cuts against my ideals to entrust my children, and children in general, to ‘professionals' trained to teach...AND...with pride in their abilities to do so...
Gone are the days also, when school boards have blank checks at their disposal with which to satisfy the latest demands of teachers and their unions...
In fact, if the current economic conditions persist, teachers need to be realistic about their demands, and be willing to bite the bullet with wages, benefits, and retirement plans...just as those in other segments of our economy have had to do for several years now...!!!
The other thing that gripes me about the Wisconsin situation are the democratic assembly members that vacated their posts and fled the state in protest of the disputed legislation...
These public servants need to be reminded of their duty, not only to the voters who elected them, but to all the people of Wisconsin...whom they have taken an oath to serve...!!!
Our Republic has a way to deal with politicians who abrogate their duties as public servants...IT'S CALLED ELECTIONS...
As a practicing Catholic and a concerned citizen, it is my responsibility to LEAD BY EXAMPLE...
I suggest that teachers and others in positions of authority do the same...!!!
