Our Democratic Republic

Among the wonderful aspects of our democratic republic is that we can make choices and then elect representatives to implement our choices.

I am now thinking of two choices. Both choices provide for food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, education, etc.

Choice No. 1: All fathers work 32 hours per week. (This is possible because of automation and other advanced technology.) The mothers stay home and take care of the children until the youngest is perhaps 12 years of age. There is adequate money to meet all expenses, provide for family vacations and save money for the children's college education. The family is permitted to keep nearly all of their earnings.

Choice No. 2: Half of the fathers work 48 hours per week plus an extra job. The mother works a full time job. Close budgeting is necessary to meet essential needs. If the children go to college, they must borrow to pay the cost. In obvious and hidden ways, about 60 percent of the income is taken from these workers. This 60 percent is used to pay all of the expenses of those who do not work. The tax payer even pays the cost of college for the indigent so that they leave college debt free.

While the wording may not be precise, there are politicians who represent each of these positions. I am not saying which position is better, but that we wonderful free people have the right to make our choices.

Jim Rahenkamp
Avon Park