Tonight I want to thank a whole lot of people. What do they have in common?
Not much. They are all different sizes, both genders, young and older, beautiful, handsome and not so great looking.
Some are as smart as the dickens. Others shine with their brawn. And some have both.
Most are underpaid, however. Even with that, most take great pride in their jobs.
Who are they?
They are the people who have saved me gobs of money. I wouldn't be here blogging right now if I didn't have these folks on my side. Sure, they make a living because of me, you and us.
They are our highway builders, our teachers, our librarians, police personnel, public health practitioners, our fire personnel, and even politicians. Okay, I like most of our public employees, not all, especially when they sabotage the job security of the others listed above.
As I drove to work today on a newly paved interstate, I couldn't help that think that my tax dollars made that beautiful and smooth highway possible. I was at home sleeping last night while laborers worked through the night when traffic is light so I could enjoy my drive this morning.
And my kids, all educated in public schools and universities, now an accomplished engineer, lawyer, teacher, farmer and one working on his computer science degree.
Some of my kids had to go on food stamps for awhile, one went through vocational rehab. Both their dad and I receive Social Security, Medicare and VA benefits. We borrowed for first mortgage from the Federal Home Association loan fund.
I am sure I have just skimmed the surface of all that public service employees do for me. I haven't mentioned those who work to preserve our clean air and water, to check our food, our hospitals, our rest homes.
As I celebrate these employees, I also celebrate the buildings from which they work, or even the parks they preserve.
Then I think about the taxes I have paid. Maybe a few thousand a year in good years. Would I be able to get so much for me and my family if that money was going to the private sector, unfettered by public oversight? No, I think not.
Life would truly be quite different for me if public employees hadn't been there for my family.
Thanks to all of you!