Sound Off: Paying for school, and an insignificant salamander
The following is what our readers sounded off about this week:
You have to pay for it
I am calling regarding a Sound Off from last week titled, "Without teachers, how do you learn?" I am not disputing what the caller said, until his or her last line, "take your kids out of school, homeschool them, and that's the end of it. You don't have to pay for it." That statement is incorrect. As a homeschooler, I still have to pay property taxes, including the school's huge chunk, even though my children do not attend public schools. Like folks without children in school, I am paying for something I am not using, which is a choice I have made. It's also another reason why I'd like schools to be more fiscally responsible.
It's not free
I'm responding to, "Without teachers, how do you learn?" It is true, teachers do teach us to read and write and to learn everything else. And, yes, we wouldn't have doctors or those in other professions without teachers. But what I am saying is that not all of the teachers are very bright. I've had a lot of teachers in my lifetime – I'm a baby boomer, thank God I am not in school now – because what we learned, and the teachers we had at that time, wasn't the greatest. And this person says also take your kids out of school or homeschool them, you don't have to pay for them. Yes, you do. It's called real-estate taxes. It's called paying for the school districts. So whether you homeschool your kids or send them to school, it's the same difference. You are paying. And also, for the ones who don't have any kids, we are paying more. There is a difference.
An insignificant salamander
Has anybody ever looked up in the dictionary, the definition of newt? As it reads, it says insignificant salamander. I think it fits.
Playing pool, thanking God
In regards to this Tim Tebow business, I see nothing wrong with an athlete dropping to his knees, thanking God, after scoring touchdowns. I do the same thing myself every time I execute a tough shot while playing pool. I trust this parody gets the point across without having to define frivolous.
Exactly what we deserve
As a concerned independent voter, I feel we could use some improvement in the White House. However, I find very disturbing the Republicans' narrow-minded and dangerous strategy for accomplishing this goal. They seem intent on nominating a candidate whose primary qualification is hopefully to beat Obama. Desirable qualities, such as governing skills, integrity, moral character and leadership abilities, seem to be obscure factors in this selection process. Unfortunately, this will probably lead to one of those elections where you hear the lame excuse of voting for the lesser of these incompetent candidates, in which case, we will get exactly what we deserve.
Good luck, President Obama
Listening to Obama's speech last night, I wish all he wanted for the American people to come true. But the rich politicians don't want to go with his ideas. They are afraid of giving some of their money where it is needed ... good luck.
Missing cane
To the person who took a handicapped lady's cane, shame on you. I shopped at Michaels on Randall Road last Saturday. I had two large bags, so I put them in my shopping cart and went out to my car. It was dark out. I put the bags in my car, moved the cart out of the way and left. When I got home and needed my cane, I realized that I had left it in Michaels shopping cart. I drove back to the store immediately. My cane was not in the cart. I asked in the store and I called again this morning. No one had turned it in. For a long time, I used a plain brown cane. My daughter bought me a pretty one with purple and turquoise design. I need it, and it was special to me.
Thank you, Doug Johnson
I just wanted to say congratulations to Doug Johnson, the regional superintendent of Kane County, on his retirement. Thank you for your many, many years of service and dedication to education. Good luck with your health and your family.
• You can sound off, as well, by calling our Sound Off line at 630-845-5240 or by sending an e-mail to soundoff@kcchronicle.com.
