UNCOMMON CENTS 88

NO MATTER WHAT, SOMEONE MUST BE OFFENDED. WHETHER OVER A SUPER BOWL XLI AD OR OVER THE CLAIM THAT $34.00 AN HR. IS TOO MUCH TO PAY TEACHERS OR OVER THE ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION OF A GAY EMPLOYEE AT A LAW FIRM. THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS 'GET A LIFE' ANY MORE; IT'S JUST 'GET A LAWYER.' .

ALSO, NO MATTER WHAT, SOMEONE MUST DEFEND HIS JOB. WITH FORCE OF CONVICTION A TEACHER CLAIMS HE IS UNDERPAID AND THAT "NO DAILY BREAKS (LUNCHTIME AND A PREP PERIOD PER DAY ARE NOT BREAKS AS THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TAUGHT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS KNOW)." THIS DEFENSE, DISTORTION, MISREPRESENTATION - ALRIGHT I'LL SAY IT, A LIE - IS BEING FOISTED OFF ON THE AMERICAN PUBLIC BY A SPOILED, OVER-PAID, PRIVILEGED, EMPLOYED TEACHER. FURTHERMORE, TEACHERS NOW CLAIM THAT THE STATE OF OUR CULTURE IS THE CULPRIT FOR THE FAILURE OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM. EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE 'BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT' IN THE CORRIDORS OF EDUCATION, CONTINUE TO FAIL TO CONFRONT REALITY BECAUSE OF THEIR SELF-CENTEREDNESS AND POLITICS PERPETUATE DELUSION.

I CANNOT DISMOUNT FROM MY HIGH HORSE, WITHOUT ADDING THAT "IT'S NOT A VALENTINE IF YOUR LIFESTYLE PUTS YOU IN THE RED. DON'T OVERSPEND. TO AVOID NEEDING A PART-TIME JOB AFTER RETIREMENT, EVEN THOUGH YOU CHOSE TO CALL IT A 'HOBBY JOB,' YOU MUST ENGAGE IN SOME SERIOUS PROPER PRIOR PLANNING FOR YOUR SENIOR YEARS. YOU MUST SAVE MORE AND EXERCISE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR SPENDING HABITS.

NO MATTER WHAT, YOU SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO KEEP AS MUCH OF YOUR PAYCHECK AS POSSIBLE. SO WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD PROGRAM, GRANT, SUBSIDY OR TAX - DON'T BE FOOLED BY A TEACHER, LAWYER, PRESIDENT, UNION MEMBER, FELLOW WORKER, FRIEND, PARTNER, SPOUSE, MINISTER OR POLITICIAN WHO DEFENDS GIVEAWAYS. GIVEAWAYS UNDER THE GUISE OF PROGRAMS, GRANTS, SUBSIDIES OR TAXES TAKE MONEY FROM YOUR POCKET TO NOT ONLY SUBSIDIZE YOUR NEIGHBOR BUT ALSO TO FORCE YOU INTO ALIGNMENT WITH HIM TO ASSURE YOU WON'T ATTEMPT TO GET AHEAD OF HIM.

HINT: BE YOUR OWN VALENTINE BY RE-EXAMINING YOUR LOVE OF SELF. SAVE FOR YOUR FUTURE AND REPEL WHAT WILL HOLD YOU
BACK.