Letters to the Editor for August 18, 2012

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Letters to the Editor for August 18, 2012

Opinions

Saturday, 18 August 2012 00:00

What is fair
To the Editor:
We have heard a great deal in the past year about the term “fairness” when speaking about reducing the deficit. Lately these discussions have revolved around the Bush tax cuts and the ever popular class warfare argument.
“Fair” is defined in the dictionary as “not favoring one more than others”. Depending on which side of the discussion you are on, “fair/fairness” is at best a subjective term. Subjective is defined as “existing in the mind of the speaker; belonging to the person’s thinking and/or personal feelings”. Trying to argue the term “fair or fairness” in any debate is problematic at best and impossible at worst.
The president and the Democrat Party congressional leaders define “fairness” as the “rich” (as they define the term “rich”) should pay more in taxes then they are now because they can afford it. Mitt Romney and the Republican Party congressional leaders define “fairness” as reducing expenditures and not raising taxes on anyone so as to not further exacerbate the sick economy.
Today, both the Democrat party and the Republican Party have chosen to stake out non-negotiable positions that have put themselves, us and the our country in a very precarious position. Each party apparently has decided to either “win it all” or “fall on their swords” if they lose. The problem with that is they are dragging all of us with them into this winner take all gamble.
“Shared responsibility” is a term thrown around copiously these days. In fact back in 2009, among many lofty promises and calls to action, the president uttered these words; “What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility – a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task”. President Obama is not the first to utter such exaltations in the modern era. President Kennedy, President Reagan, President Clinton and President Bush (both before and after 911) encouraged us in the very same manner. And for sometime after all of these men asked that of us we responded. But then, those presidents and us took our eyes off the target and let politics and personal obligations, among other things, derail those lofty goals.
What seems to rile most folks up that I talk to is that only the taxpayer seems to be asked to be part of the shared responsibility equation. The perception of the taxpayers is that they are working harder than ever to keep their heads above water while being expected to supply the non taxpayers with ever increasing entitlements. In fact the resentment extends to the politicians as well. When they ask us to sacrifice and share responsibility they also must participate in terms of difficult political decisions and career sacrifices.
It is in the spirit of shared responsibility as defined in the above quote, seasoned with reality and a dose of good old common sense, along with some practical number crunching that I offer this solution.
1. All taxpayers agree to a 1 percent across the board tax increase. Not just the rich. All of us. The increased tax revenue provided by the 1 percent tax is to be applied directly toward deficit reduction. No new programs or funding of existing programs.
2. The recipients of federal entitlements, that taxpayers’ money funds, (no exceptions, remember “shared responsibility seized gladly” as the President said) accept a reduction in those benefits Equal to the value of the 1 percent tax increase revenue that number one above provides.
This will accomplish at least four things:
• The 1 percent tax increase across the board will provide exponentially more revenue than taxing the rich 3 percent alone.
• The reduction of entitlements will reduce expenditures by an additional amount equal to the tax increase.
• The positive psychological benefit of everyone working together toward fixing a common problem.
• Our actions will serve as a model for the rest of the world to follow. It will encourage everyone to participate.
The time is short. The battle is eminent. Remember the politicians only do what they think we want and will get them reelected. It is not their fault if we are not clear as to what we want. If we encourage them to move in this direction and let them know that we will give them resounding support in this effort they will participate.
Frank Iaquinto
St. Cloud

Public education comes with great responsibility
To the Editor:
As we begin to embark on a new school year, it is important for us as parents, teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, students, and residents of Osceola County to remember that the right of a free public education comes with great responsibilities for all of us. Much like the saying that it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to educate a child.
The community of teachers, paraprofessionals, staff and administrators in our schools has the responsibility to educate and care for our students, especially as we face budget cuts and legislative changes. In spite of those cuts and changes, we know that it is our responsibility to prepare our students to lead prosperous and productive lives that will ensure the future of our community, nation and world.
The community of parents has the responsibility of taking an active and positive role in their students’ education. It is up to parents to make certain their children are well rested, have a good breakfast, and come to school prepared to learn with their materials and a positive attitude about education. As a parent, your attitude toward school greatly influences your student regardless of whether they are in VPK or a high school Senior. Get to know your student’s teacher(s) and work with them to help your student succeed.
The community of students has the responsibility to focus on their education. It does not matter whether you, as a student, plan to work in a trade, join the Armed Forces or pursue a higher education, the habits and attitude you build and display in school will help or hinder your success in school and in life. Talk with your teachers and ask questions if you do not understand the lesson or material. It is your responsibility to do your homework as it is given to help you understand the material. Your teachers became teachers because they care about you and want you to succeed.
Finally, the community of residents in Osceola County who do not have a student in school has the responsibility to support your public schools. Many wonder how they can do this. The answer is simple. You can volunteer at your local school. Many schools need people to help with a variety of tasks and will appreciate your assistance. A bonus of doing this is that you can see firsthand what really happens in our schools rather than hearing just what the media and politicians tell you. There are many wonderful things happening in our schools that never make it into the mainstream media. You can also be an advocate for the best possible public education possible for our students. When voting, do not allow the titles of proposed legislation mislead you. Instead, read what the proposed legislation says it will do if it becomes law. The truth may surprise you.
All of us working together will improve our students’ education. Remember, it takes a community to educate our future.
Jay B. Snyder
Osceola County
Education Association