General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Leftist Values [View all]H2O Man
(73,531 posts)You make a number of valid, very important points here -- in a much shorter manner than I seem capable of, as the lady who volunteers as my editor often notes -- and I definitely want to respond to them. But first, I really want to thank you for your kindness. I know that Im not the voice of any group, but Im comfortable being a voice from the left. And it is very nice, when another voice from the left, compliments me as you have. That means a lot to me.
In fact, over the weekend, I sent my editor a link to the OP I posted last week. I said that my essay wasnt what I wanted her to look at; rather, it was the many outstanding responses that created an outstanding thread. Plus, for a relatively long thread, there really wasnt much hostility there. Maybe a little tension in two spots. But overall, very positive.
Im glad you brought up the topic of your children, and the importance of teaching them your values. Thats a huge thing to me. More, all of my friends and associates who have children feel the same way. Quite a few of them are public school teachers; its always interesting for me to listen to how, in their jobs, the most important thing to them are the students. And its not just something they say -- indeed, they dont have to, because their actions show their passion for teaching.
These folks are all employed in public schools. (Some of my family, friends, and associates home school their children. Obviously, they love their students, too!) They are capable of teaching important values, without having to include religion. Its funny how the rabid republicans, who whimper about school prayer, dont grasp this. Or, maybe they do: perhaps that helps to further explain their war on public education. Certainly, a school should teach civics, and encourage students to be educated participants in our democracy.
Family values -- including encouraging children to get a solid education -- are core values of the Democratic Party. Its an example of the type of common ground that almost every single Democrat Party and Democratic Left member can agree upon. There may be different opinions on some aspects of public education, but it is difficult to think of an official from our party who attacks public education.
Not impossible, though, for New York State residents. Governor Andrew Cuomo continues to take adversarial positions to the teachers union, and to public education. Hes close friends with PAs governor, and NYS senator Tom Libous; Christie is clearly an unethical specimen of humanity, and the republican Libous was indicted in federal court for corruption last year. While Cuomo was re-elected last fall, he didnt have any support from leftists. I have no problem with those people who did vote for Andrew; however, they should understand why others were not willing to vote for him. (And no, that didnt help his republican opponent in any way whatsoever.)
We should all be encouraging people to think for themselves. In fact, thats half of one of Onondaga Nations Chief Paul Watermans teachings to my children: Think for yourself; act for others.