It appears that I differ from many of you in my overall outlook on life. I am a public school teacher BY CHOICE and proud of it. If all of the parents of the nation were as diligent and able as some of you I would not be needed, but many children only find the knowledge they need to succeed at life in a public school classroom. There are parents who do not have the skills, the resources or the energy to teach their children as you do. I am a single mom and have worked most of my children's childhood. I took great care to choose daycare and preschool situations that would enable me to not worry about my children's safety and teaching while I was working to provide food, clothing and a roof over their heads. (I would rather have stayed married, but that's a long story not of importantance here.) My children have grown to be wonderful adults that are leaning to work and support themselves. I am proud of their values and choices, even if they are different from those I have made. I have read many diatribes here and most I have been able to say, WOW, I wouldn't have guessed that person thought that way on that subject and then go on with other subjects. I could not, however, let pass the post entitled "Just a new look on things". It hurt to the bottom of my heart to see what appeared to be such hard hearts and closed minds to the reality of the world around us. The world has changed. What it means to be a citizen of one country no longer is limited to that country's borders. We must see ourselves as citizens of the whole world for our daily life does depend on what happens in the whole world.

Here is how I see the world.

Because I have most of what I want and all of what I need... I have a responsibilty to help those who cannot help themselves (for any reason) and gladly pay taxes and support charities.

I understand that to have compassion means to have mercy and since I need mercy I give it as often as I can.

I understand that guns are for killing, and I don't need one.

I know how easy it was for me to come close to homelessness with my little ones and give alms freely on the street.

I am tolerant of the ideas, religions, languages, and views of others and hope that they show me the same tolerance.

I admire those who have left the security of home,family,country and culture to follow the dream of a better life for themselves and their children. Their struggle to learn a new language and fit into a new culture can only be imagined as I struggle to educate myself to speak a new language to communicate with them.

I believe that enforcers of the law need to be sworn to protect the rights of EVERY human being, regardless of race, tongue or creed.

I understand the value of learning to learn which is the most important thing one learns from being a student.

I understand that at the roots of histories worst moments have been bigotry, intolerance, racial pride, and feelings of moral or religious superiority.

I understand that when the rights or freedoms of some are removed my rights and freedoms are also endangered.

I live my life by the creed that is handed down in almost every religion and moral philosophy on the face of the earth. Here in the West it is most often known as the Golden Rule. As quoted from the KJV's account of the Sermon on the Mount (attributed to Jesus in Matthew chapters 5,6, and 7) "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men would do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets." (Mt 7:12) I was not born to privilege or wealth. I live pay check to pay check as I save and plan for my dream of living off the land in a simple and self sustaining lifestyle. I will continue to open my heart, my hands and my life to those in need of comfort, support, food, and safety. It is my duty as a citizen of the world. I would not be able to live with myself if I did any different. May the God of Peace have Mercy on us all. betty I realize that half way through the writing of this I hit something that triggered submit, so if you saw this twice please be tolerant of my emerging computer skills. Thanks. You all are a great resource and I do enjoy my time here.

-- betty modin (betty_m9@yahoo.com), March 31, 2001

Answers

It takes all kind to make up this old world. I guess I am still a bad American cause I still vote for Stan. DON511

-- DON (dessertmaker2000@hotmail.com), March 31, 2001.

I agree with the tolerance and compassion parts betty, but I sleep better having a protection device or two in the home. The rights we do enjoy seem to exist because , human nature being what it is, we are able to defend those rights. Much as I would like to think that altruism is a common trait, I don't think it's quite universal yet.

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), April 01, 2001.

Wouldn't life be boring if we all agreed on everything ?

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), April 01, 2001.