RH Jones: Is there no one to speak for me?

From RH Jones, March 5, 2008
Subject: Is there no one to speak for me?

To all:

Concerning H.B. 315, the House Bill that will provide health care (HC) for teachers – Is there no one to speak for me?

‘First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Socialists and the Trade Unionists, but I was neither, so I did not speak out. Then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew, so I did not speak out. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak for me.’

.....~ Attributed to Martin Niemöeller (1892-1984)

Today, I am speaking for myself, as you retired teachers should do also. It may not be what they want to hear; but nevertheless, they need to hear it: Move H.B. 315 out of the FIRES Committee and bring it to a vote!

Research has shown retired teachers two basic facts:

1. Older people vote in larger percentages than younger people.

2. Education of a society will bring prosperity.

We need to know who these legislators are who are against moving Ohio ahead. We need to know our opposition so that we can vote them out-of-office. We retired educators are not the only “Passover lambs”. In the case of H.B.315, the public is being passed-over as well. As part of the total employer benefit package, those who educate the public’s children should be awarded HC in their retirement. Lawfully, it cannot be done without an increase in the employer contribution. The present 14% employer cap does not provide the needed funding. The legislature needs to understand that HC for retired educators is a positive for Ohio. Anything that provides funding for education moves Ohio ahead. HC is part of teacher retirement. We teach, and we taught, and we vote. Both active and retired teachers are together for this H.B. 315. All other educated Ohioans should be too.

The “Buckeye” has fallen from the tree long enough. It is time to pick it up and to start Ohio moving ahead once again. A legislative vote for H.B.315 will be a start in cleaning up the mess.

Robert Hudson Jones, a retired teacher member of the STRS, and a voter.