Subject: Feeling the need: To the readers, and especially to Pulling the wool over my eyes!!!I don't know how many years you and your wife have been on this earth, but if you read the previous blog, than perhaps my wife and I are older than either of you? We struggled at least as hard as you and your wife are now struggling, and for us, there were far too many times when it felt deperate. The decisions we made were based not only on the economic experiences of others, but also on the advice that I have tried to share with my family and friends. That advice is based upon my belief that all of us are unique individuals, that our lives are a gift, and that our responsibility is to use our gift to enhance not only ourselves, but also the world. For my wife, it was to be a teacher. She searched within herself to find that calling. The decision was made to do whatever was possible to realize her need, as well as the needs we had as a couple and as parents. Living through the years of stress, because I was unable to afford benefits for my family for most of the years our children were being raised, and having to pay for the operations, doctor, dentist, etc. visits on the money that I brought in, was difficult, but we did it. I am close to retirement age, and as I said earlier, my wife will be working for many years before she can retire. I know that with "all of our benefits and security," that I will continue working for as long as my vitality is there, because like you, I am self-employed, and the money that I earn is vital for us to maintain, to keep the future bills paid, and to save. As an aside, you and your wife are fortunate to be able to save at this time. We lived so close to the bone, that it was only after our children left home, that we were able to have anything extra to save. Our saving was done by putting our resources into my wife's education, and to purchase our home. While my math may seem deficient to you, kindly understand, that I am not specific about our personal income. Personal finances are things that I choose to hold private. I tried to give you and other readers an idea of our reality to wrap your thoughts around. If you cannot understand what I am trying to say to you, and the other readers, than either I haven't written very clearly, or you just refuse to read and understand. I truly wish for success for you and your hard working wife and for your family. I hold no ill will toward any honorable person, and feel offended that anyone would hold ill will toward us. We have never asked anyone to fund us. We worked and paid for everything that we have accomplished. It is not our fault that the politicians and big business have made all of our lives uncomfortable and unbalanced. Our taxes also pay for the waste generated by our government representatives, the fat payrolls, perks and benefits of politicians in all three branches of government, and they also pay for educating our children.
We pay for corporate and political welfare, just as you do. There is where the problem lies, yet no one wants to fight that, they only want to swallow the propaganda put forth by our "free" press. By swallowing that propaganda, and allowing the news media that is being spun to pull the wool over the peoples' eyes, people are not accomplishing anything, and continue to be deceived and fight among themselves. Larry is right, people do need to get out on the street and fight. You know, that we have been put into a position that does not allow us the time to get out on the streets and fight. Our press does not alert us to upcoming protests and marches. We find out about them mostly after the fact. How many complainers out there don't even vote! This last president was questionably elected on approximately 30% of the vote. How pathetic is that! Had the others voted, we and many many others in the world, might not be in the mess we are all currently experiencing. There were only two "viable" candidates running, and slightly over half of the eligible voters voted. We are being forcefed to choose between two political parties, when most likely, there are far better candidates not aligned with Democrats or Republicans. There is a candidate who is a Republican and who is also being ignored. Ron Paul is that example. He is a Republican candidate, still trying to get elected, yet how many voters know his name, his history as a congressman or what his platform is? It is a shame that he is not getting the press. We deserve to have more to choose from in order to elect the best representative possible to be our president. Big Oil/corporate America are pulling the strings, and making our economic lives difficult, and for many, a nightmare. Yet so many choose to fight among themselves--its a darn shame. Stop blaming hard working people like yourself for the difficulties that we are all experiencing. This is the last that I want to write on this blog to attempt to stand up for my wife, and all the other fine teachers that teach our children. If you have the education, get a license to become a substitute teacher. If you can't do that, than volunteer by becoming a part time aid. Spend a few days in the schools, and see if you don't agree with me, that every penny we spend in taxes to pay the teachers to perservere through all that is necessary to educate our children, is not only money well spent, but is also not enough.

RESPONSE: Respectfully, I have been at many anti-war peace marches both here and last year on the Boardwalk in AC...and have seen few of my fellow Mullica citizens...and no teachers from Mullica.