Families need schools open
Editor: Not everyone has the same choices and that is true for providing for their children’s education. Not everyone is in a position where they can stay home with a paycheck coming in every month.
A widow with two small children must go to work to provide shelter and food for her family. A young family where both parents must work to provide for their family may not be able to stay at home. A family with an infant who needs attention may not have extra available time.
The multitude of conditions that influence families’ abilities go beyond supplementing their children’s education are varied. While parents are the first teachers, they rely on the school system to do its part. A family may not have the resources to hire tutors, pay for private school fund, additional childcare expenses, or not work.
For many families, not having schools open has been a huge financial burden stretching a family’s budget to the limit or even to the breaking point. While it is easy to point fingers, adding hundreds or thousands of unplanned dollars to burden a family should not be taken lightly.
Public education is not free. It is very expensive. Taxpayers provide billions of dollars to the public school system. They should be able to expect that the content and the services are provided and that the quality is satisfactory. Some of us have heard arguments for keeping schools closed, such as that the children are not falling behind because everyone is in the same predicament and they’ll be fine.
Having schools closed has increased anxiety for some families because they care about the well being of their children. Not everyone is in the same situation, and school choice is not available. While many are putting in great effort, the loss of interaction between the classmates, the warmth and smile of the teacher throughout the day, and the collective sense that each day is special to be at school are missing.
I applaud those parents who are concerned and want what is best for their children. And I applaud educators who are working and concerned.
SUSAN HEBERLE
Lodi
Will renewable push leave us stuck?
Editor: Last Tuesday we witnessed a power outage at 9 p.m. and I was stuck in my electric recliner. The power was only off for an hour and a half but it brings to mind what is going to happen if the goal of our president is realized.
Biden wants to eliminate all fossil fuels meaning all forms of gas and oil to prevent the air from being polluted. In place of it we will get electricity. What a great idea! Oh yeah? Without gasoline or other forms of petroleum, how do we run our generators when we don't pay our bill to China and they turn off the electricity. How do we charge the total electric car fleet for the police and fire departments. Then everyone will have to ride their bikes to work or travel like China and other eastern countries, that way we can't spread any virus that happens.
If we don't have oil how can we light lamps when the power is shut off to read or teach our children. I listen to our foreign indoctrinated congresspersons with their ideas and wonder what my great grandkids are going to have to keep them warm or occupy their time. The only employment will be the windmill repairs (mainly cleaning the dead birds off) and any other little chores we will be allowed.
Already the president has by the stroke of his pen nullified thousands of jobs and put a huge dent in the Alaskan economy and totally irritated our Canadian allies. I am appalled at where we will be at the end of this reign of so-called Democrats.
I remember during World War II listening to the radio telling us to report anyone believed to be a communist. Sounds like the same I am hearing as the Democrats are seeking to punish Republicans for supporting President Trump. I am an American and served in the Marine Corp and was proud to do so for my country. Will we have a country to defend when all of the radical ideas are enforced? Will God bless America?
SCOTT ANDERSON
Lodi