This is why I'm a Democrat:
- I thought those 20 summers as nature counselor I spent slogging in swamps, dripping through woods, organizing worm races and netting that same trout counted toward my Social Security. I WAS I WAS WRONG!
- Democrats will help those who are too naive (dumb/uninformed) about the system. Democrats will put the money where it will be valued and effectively used.
- Our school staff has two newly widowed young teachers, both with young children. Widows don't receive full benefits under Social Security.
- I work in an urban CT school, and buy my own school supplies. So do the widows.
Social Security deposited $10,000 this week into my disabled stepson's bank account, with no cover letter or explanation. If my husband hadn't noticed it the money would be sitting in his account forever (or spent on his coin collection). This is not the first time he's returned a big, unexplained deposit back to Social Security.
So it's not like they don't have the money.
Thanks, Jim, for thinking of us teachers - our school received this letter in our boxes today.
James A. Himes
Congress of the United States
4th District, Connecticut
May 27, 2010
Dear (personally addressed to my) School,
Education is the cornerstone of the American dream, and I believe teachers are the single most important factor in determining whether a child finds success of failure in school. As we celebrate National Teacher Appreciation Week this year, I want to take this opportunity to extend my thanks to you directly and reaffirm my deep commitment to keeping high-quality, well-trained educators do what they do best.
With mounting budget difficulties at all levels of government, it is clear that we must step up our fight to ensure that quality, well-trained teachers are available for every child. And as Congress begins to consider sweeping reforms of our education system, I believe we must strengthen our commitment to professional development in our schools for new and veteran teachers alike. Every new teacher should have mentor-ship opportunities with peers and master teachers, along with access to loan forgiveness and advancement certification, and veteran teachers should have access to on- and off campus enrichment activities to help them rejuvenate their methods and curricula. It is high time we treated teachers like the professionals they are by giving them the in-school support they deserve.
In addition, I will continue to support the repeal of the Social Security offset rules which unfairly deny the normal spousal benefit to spouses and widows who are teachers, even if their husbands and wives paid into Social Security for an entire career. And without circumventing collective bargaining agreements, I will work to make new resources available to high-poverty school districts to help them attract great teachers through salary supplements, rewarding teachers for going where they are most needed.
I firmly believe that if we make the right investments now, we can help ensure that the next generation of America's teachers will be the best-trained and best-supported in our history, giving all of our children the greatest possible chance to succeed.
Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week, and thanks again for all that you do.
James A. Himes