RH Jones: STRS Retirees' Moral Responsibilities

From RH Jones, Sept. 4, 2006

To all STRS retired members:

You, my brother and sister educators in retirement, if you cash the checks that STRS provides you each month you have a moral responsibility to vote, and to vote for those individuals who support public education.

The anti-public education candidates are out to destroy our school systems in order to pay-back huge campaign contributions and put this money into the greedy hands of the profiteering "fat cats". They pay low salaries and hire individuals with questionable educational qualifications. You all know who the "fat cats" are, but I am sad to say there are some of us educators who feel that they are part of that group "big shots" who benefit from politicians that are exploiting Ohio and America -- erroneously thinking this way, puts the STRS funding in jeopardy. Does this feeling of being part of the "big shot" syndrome boost their egos to make them feel superior to all of the rest of us, I wonder? You should also be aware that some of the non-public (for profit) charter and community schools, have not been paying into the STRS as has been required by law. To my knowledge, the ruling party has not enforced this law. Also, and more importantly, we must know that some of these individuals who have exploited children, and us, are deceiving us by hiding behind religion to stay in power.

By profession, we are career teachers who have given the best years of our lives to the public schools and the children within their walls. We are teachers until our last breath! If we do not support public education, who will? If you do not stay aware, and waste or ignore our American voting privileges, we can expect to be left behind by a culture of greed who disrespect Pre-K-16 youngsters, education, teachers and even more so: retired career teachers.

RHJones, retired STRS member