[Paradox]

My first wife was a public school teacher. She was one of the very few conservative ones. The majority of her peers, I found to be shallow, pseudointellectuals. A criticism I have heard is that the pool of public school teacher candidates was made up of people who were too wimpy to get a job in the private sector. Well, I find that to be true.

My wife had first worked for many years in the private sector, before getting a job teaching. She was hard nosed and didn't take any cr*p from her students, and she was a "special ed" teacher (basically, all the problem behavioral students). She was so good she went on to win an award in the State for teacher of the year, or some such.

But the fact is, most teachers are exactly as the stereotypes portray them. Beevis and Butthead do an excellent parody, as does South Park.

[geedee]

Ain't it a shame that teachers like your wife can't rise to the top like the high-achievers in other industries? We so often blame others for the dumbing-down of the curriculum when, in fact, the blame lies with us. With you and me and John Q. Public.

We've been surrounded by the "It ain't my fault" crowd Bill Clinton motivated and, through his refusal to ever accept any personal responsibility for his psychopathic foibles, allowed to dominate this nation's agenda and morals. We've lost the way taught us by our parents' generation. We've allowed the NEA to take over. We've allowed the stars like your wife to be overlooked and abused until their fiery drive eventually flickers and blinks out.

But we can take our schools back. We just need the courage to do it.

[Semper911]

I know it is a fun sport here on FR to bash teachers. And so many of the complaints are valid. But goddamnit, what are any of you doing to make a difference?

You whine because teachers get more time off than you. Become a teacher. You are not satisfied with the grade point averages and intellect of teachers. Become a teacher. It is not acceptable that teacher's unions have so much power. Become a teacher, and you can help to change these things.

I am a conservative.

I am a veteran of the armed forces.

I deplore the teacher's unions and their power.

My colleagues are not very bright.

My grade point average in undergrad was 3.8.

I have a Master's degree.

I owe $25k in student loans.

I make $45k per year.

I am a teacher.

...and I Freep.