Teacher pay raises

In response to the Monday letter from Rob Nettles that labeled teacher pay raises in the Waco Independent School District as “poorly thought out,” he seems to believe that the funds granted by the federal government should be used as one-time bonuses rather than a raise in salaries. Exactly which teachers should be eligible for these one-time bonuses? Which teachers are the most vital, the most deserving?

Are the math and reading teachers who prepare their students for high-stakes tests more important than the choir director and business teacher who create an atmosphere of achievement and learning for all students? Or should they equally share in the bounty?

As far as treating teacher pay as government employee pay, I think that’s fair. USA Today on March 4 reported that the average federal employee is paid $66,591, while the average private sector employee only earns $55,500.

Tony Uzzell, president of the Waco chapter of the Texas State Teachers Association

‘Red herring’ issue

Sunday’s letters prompted these reactions:  

* Regardless of one’s opinion on the question of Veterans Affairs health care vs. private health care, as a political issue exploited by U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards against his opponent, GOP candidate Bill Flores (who favors privatization), it’s a red herring in a smoke screen. Privatizing veterans health care isn’t happening before the sun burns out, so stop worrying about it.

* Barbara Collier wrote that she is “an advocate for the poor among us, those on food stamps, the unemployed and homeless, those who have lost homes to foreclosure, the elderly and disabled on Social Security and those without health insurance.” That’s admirable, but I do hope that her advocacy extends beyond her suggested solution for helping all of the above — an obvious appeal for them to vote for the Democratic Party.

Sammy McLarty, Waco

* * *

How can Chet Edwards’ campaign spend thousands of dollars claiming that if Bill Flores is elected, he’ll privatize veterans care? How can they really keep a straight face through all this?

Last time I checked, Flores is running for Congress and not king. Someone tell me how one congressman could privatize anything?

I wonder if people are so out of touch with life that they believe this.

Kenneth Dickenson, Moody

Great philanthropists

I’m compelled to respond to a letter writer who on Wednesday suggested that the Trib’s owners, the Robinsons, put their “money where their mouth is.” The comment came in response to a Sunday column that Clifton Robinson wrote about entitlement reform.

This reader obviously doesn’t know the Robinsons. They have given more to more causes than they can probably remember. Most of it has been done anonymously. Whether it’s education, animal rights, church, political or other causes, they have given more than their fair share. Clifton and Betsy Robinson have given more than most of these critics could earn in a lifetime.

Entitlements have in many cases caused people to assume some things are owed them that are not included in the Bill of Rights.

Todd Dorton, Waco