""I'm retired and have already paid my fair share for schools."" by About Town

"I'm retired and have already paid my fair share for schools."

Blog: About Town

March 17, 2011

Are You Kidding Me?

Over the years, I have talked to a number of retirees here who think they have already “paid their dues” when it comes to public education and thus should no longer be forced, through taxes, to fund it.

Really?

Did older workers and retirees have that attitude when you were in school? Probably not, otherwise you would not have gotten a good enough education to help you lead the prosperous life that allowed you to retire to a nice place like this.

Setting aside for a moment the fact that older workers and retirees helped fund YOUR education, what do you think this place would be like if we didn’t have good schools? Most of the people who work in this community and provide services for you are likely to utilize our school system.

When you go to the hospital, do you think we would have as many good doctors, nurses, and other health care workers here to help you if we didn’t have good schools for their children?

When you go to the grocery store, would you have a well-run, well-stocked store if the managers and workers didn’t have a good place to send their children to school?

When someone mows your lawn…

When someone does your taxes…

When someone fixes your car…

When someone checks you in at the pro shop…

When you call the police…

When you smell smoke…

Do you like your home? It was a pretty big investment, wasn’t it? Do you eventually plan on selling it to move on to a smaller place or a retirement village? Do you think you’ll get a very good price on your home if you don’t live in a good school district?

Please look at the big picture and realize a good school system is VERY important to you even if you don’t happen to have and school age children.

MCResident 2 years, 2 months ago

I agree with you 100%.

NocOwl 2 years, 2 months ago

Well said. Unfortunately I doubt the people who it is meant for will be unable to see past their self-serving attitudes long enough to realize how foolish they are.

tina2972 2 years, 2 months ago

Ahhhh, welcome to the Tea Party. Seemed like a good idea in the beginning, didn't it? It would be interesting to see how many people that support Academy Heights staying open have a Tea Party sticker on their car. Hopefully a lesson learned. Where is the money supposed to come from when we have a broken economy and a population that doesn't want to invest in their country? Think before you leap...