We should rely on ourselves first

Ruth Baker, Las Vegas

Monday, Aug. 22, 2011 | 2 a.m.

I started school in 1929 during the Great Depression. Teachers were paid little then and the state had no money to purchase supplies for kids. All parents had to supply their children with pencils, an eraser, tablet, ruler and a protractor.

Teachers didn’t have to provide their students with anything. Today we find that teachers are purchasing supplies for their students for more than one class. Teachers have taken a big hit on their salaries, health insurance, etc., and have living expenses just like most of us have.

Where is it written in a teacher’s job description that they have to do this? Yet year after year they continue to purchase supplies. It’s the responsibility of the parent to purchase required supplies, not that of the teacher or the community.

A similar situation occurs between President Barack Obama and unemployment. Where is it in his job description that it is his responsibility to find jobs? It’s the responsibility of Congress. I admit there are times when we need financial help from others as well as our government, but where we can, we should learn to take on our own responsibilities.