Teachers deserve a contract
Well, here we are in January, and the teachers of the New York City Public Schools still do not have a new contract yet. Teachers deserve a decent and just salary increase that will help us to keep up with everyday increases in prices.
If there is any dead or excess wood to cut, how about starting with the gang at the Department of Education – who are certainly paid bloated salaries and are not doing their jobs.
Educators work so very hard to give our kids the best possible education and parents work with teachers to help that process too.
Our politicians should fight for fair, just working conditions and fair, livable and competitive salaries for educators everywhere in America.
As teachers, we help to develop good minds in our students and to help mold them for this very chaotic world in which we live.
John Amato
Fresh Meadows
Halloran for Congress
Recently I attended a “Tea Party” event focused on interviewing candidates to take on Representative Gary Ackerman in the 5th Congressional District.
All of the prospective candidates articulated their ideas about tackling the challenges facing our country and community in an earnest and considerate manner. I was indeed encouraged that each of these individuals if elected had a responsible vision that contrasted starkly with the incumbent’s record on taxation, spending, and the role of government.
I was particularly engaged by Councilmember Dan Halloran, who gave inspiring introductory remarks at the meeting on our traditions of federalism, limited government and the need for fiscal responsibility.
Halloran’s outspoken ability to articulate the imperatives of fiscal responsibility, national security and constitutionalism is measured, intelligent and has already worked at the ballot box.
I urge Halloran to take this challenge on. Your country is calling you to serve. We need change in Washington and the time is right for you to serve us as our Congressmember.
Deborah A. Heinichen
Bayside
Nation must come first
“America love it, or leave it!” is a slogan used to attack those opposed to government policies or positions.
A recent survey found that over 40 percent of American Muslims are first devoted to their faith and then to the U.S. Inquiring of friends, family and acquaintances, it was shocking to learn that members of the other major faiths responded in equal percentages to American Muslims.
It is disheartening to learn that loyalty to the nation is secondary for vast numbers of Americans. As a Catholic running for President, John F. Kennedy was questioned on whether he would be subject to dictates from the Vatican.
Obama was attacked as being a Muslim. America was founded by seekers of religious freedom, which ultimately led to the separation of church and state creating the unique Democracy that is the U.S.
When religious devotion rises above love of country, there must be questions of patriotism. It is impossible to serve two masters. When conflicts arise between nation and religion suspicions will rightly arise forcing questioning of loyalty.
Sadly placing the nation second defines politics in the U.S. The parties are selfishly devoted to their quest for power and dominance. Republicans and Democrats seem like radical Mullahs dedicated to their own narrow interests relegating the nation to the back of the bus.
Edward Horn
Baldwin
Plight of senior citizens
Never have we ever forsaken and discarded as many senior citizens as we have under this administration. Federal projections engineered a halt to Social Security Cost Of Living Adjustments (COLA) entitlements indefinitely, while Federal Employees were afforded a 3.3 percent increase and Congress increased their own salaries.
Under pressure, President Obama promised two payments of $250 to each senior citizen receiving Social Security.
Well fellow seniors, we now begin our downward slide, in need, sans safety net. Tougher decisions now confront us. We are now on the verge of decisions never faced before. Suddenly and frighteningly, do our concerns center on food, shelter or medical? Healthy and homeless? Perhaps well sheltered yet chronically ill?
Not to worry my fellow Golden-Agers, come November, as I enter the voting booth, I will speak loudly with my vote.
John J. McGuire Sr.
Rego Park
Multiple medals
Apolo Ohno now has won the most medals in a winter Olympics of any American. His dedication to this sport of speed skating is nothing less than phenomenal. He has displayed character, skill and a tenacious spirit that now has him in seventh heaven. I believe Apolo is a great role model for all of our youth in Queens because if you work hard and really want something anything is possible. Let us all give Apolo a high-five for a job well done.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village
History lost
Once upon a time, there was a holiday called George Washington’s Birthday. [Editor’s Note: Additionally, there was one called Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday – in the same month, too.]
It was more than just a day off from school; it prompted us to discover and explore the birth of our republic, the Constitution and the men who wrote it.
We have renamed the two birthdays – “Presidents’ Day” – thus diminishing the significance and notable consequences of the contributions of two of our most important historical figures.
Our classrooms are devoid of American history and most students as well as teachers have never read the Constitution. We are distancing ourselves from our roots in the name of globalism and a “new world order.”
A proposal in North Carolina – that the study of history in high schools begins with the presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes in 1877 – is evidence of a growing trend to devalue and dismiss our roots and legacy. Under the proposed changes, ninth graders would take a course called “Global Studies” focusing in part on issues such as the environment and eleventh graders would take history of the United States only from 1877 onward.
As future generations meander through the mall in search of bargains on Presidents’ Day, it is not inconceivable they will know nothing of the Constitution and think George Washington was an eco-terrorist who chopped down a cherry tree.
Ed Konecnik
Flushing
Words to live by
Tiger Woods has given his apology to his family, friends, sponsors and the youth of the world. Yet there are those who doubt his sincerity. Nevertheless, no one can know what is in Tiger’s heart and for that, only his creator knows for sure.
As Jesus said when a woman was about to be stoned for adultery, “He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.”
Now Tiger’s detractors need to keep that in mind as well. The prodigal son of golf is trying to make amends by saying he is sorry and changing his ways and that needs to be respected. To err is human, to forgive divine.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village
