Letter from a Tea Party Conservative

[START QUOTED LETTER] Dear Honey, I'm sorry. I am a conservative husband, belong to the Tea Party and I voted for John Kasich. I have been married to a Cleveland teacher for almost 14 years and my vote let her down. I apologize: For letting people tease you about having the summer off and not asking them to thank you for the tough days ahead that begin in early August. I know for a fact you work more hours in those 10 months than many people do in 12. All those hours are earned. For complaining that my Sunday is limited with you because you must work. For making you think you have to ask permission to buy a student socks, gloves and hats. For not understanding that you walk through a metal detector for work. For leaving dirty dishes in the sink [when you awoke] for your 4 a.m. work session. I should know you have to prepare. For thinking you took advantage of the taxpayers. Our governor continues to live off the taxpayer dole, not you. For counting the time and money you spend to buy school supplies. For not saying "thank you" enough for making the world and me better. I love you. [END OF QUOTED LETTER] ... Thankfully, this teacher is not an anomaly. Despite recent attacks on their pay, motives and even their supposed lifestyle, the majority of public school teachers across the country continue to bring their talent and high ideals to some of our most troubled districts. Consider the take-home message for America's schoolchildren: Conservative politicians emboldened by brand-new legislative majorities insist that children are our most precious resource, but then pass bills guaranteed to undermine the teachers entrusted with our children's future. Nevertheless, those same public school teachers under attack continue to report for duty every day. We know that children watch, and learn. And what they are sure to understand is that, unlike those politicians, their teachers refuse to give up on them. Talk about a lesson in character.