A senior supporting education

To the editor:

I was just asked this week, if, as a senior, I was unhappy about supporting local schools with my tax dollars. I almost could not believe the question, as it has never occurred to me not to support schools and education. The individual asking the question stated the opinion that many seniors do not want to support schools because they think they do not directly benefit from them.

So, I have the following to say: Schools provide us with educated members of society, who in turn are entrepreneurs that provide jobs, and promote a healthy society. If we do not support education we end up with a society without jobs, without roots, with increased crime, and without the ability as a nation to survive in a highly competitive global society. The best way to combat the radicalism of ISIS and others is through an educated society.

The existence of an educated society does not just affect parents. It affects all people in Mat-Su, in Alaska, in the U.S. As Thomas Jefferson said, “enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.” So, I strongly support our local system: Mat-Su public schools, charter schools and home schools. We should work to help them achieve their goal of producing the very best students. It benefits everyone. I think it is the best way for my tax dollars to be spent.

Patricia Fisher

Meadow Lakes