Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007 | 7:18 a.m.
Karl Rove's insinuation that a guest-worker program is needed, so that our 17-year-olds will not have to pick tomatoes or make beds in Las Vegas, was addressed by Rep. Shelley Berkley in an open letter to Mr. Rove that was published in the Feb. 10 edition of the Las Vegas Sun.
While being totally incensed by Mr. Rove's remark, I am quite proud of Congresswoman Berkley for her comments. After all, is not our great nation built upon the concept of freedom to choose one's vocation or profession? What has happened to the concept of giving an honest day's work for an honest day's wages?
Also, as a former educator, a mother and a concerned citizen of Las Vegas, I find the insinuation that 17-year-olds are above picking tomatoes, making beds or carrying out jobs demanding manual dexterity totally wrong. If our youths were made to get out and use their hands in honest work to pay for their own cell phones, iPods, car insurance plans, etc., then they would grow up to recognize the work ethic. Possibly they would learn more about budgeting their finances and living within their means also.
In this day and age, many youths have one word to describe their day: boring! In my opinion, they would not find life so boring if they had a part-time job, even one demanding manual labor. Instead of being observers of life, it is essential that they be participants!
And as far as equating the need of a guest-worker program with providing our city, our state, or even our nation with people who will do manual labor, Mr. Rove has missed the boat, in my opinion.
Mary M. Gafford, Las Vegas
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