One child at a time
That’s My Opinion
By Bob Robinson 

The Darke Knight commented in one of his columns that because I was no longer writing “biting” political rhetoric, he/she thought I’d moved onto other things, or something like that. It was in response to a reader’s comment. 

Yes and no. While I still have strong opinions about right and wrong, whether it’s in politics or in any other area, time and life-altering events have changed my perspective. 

Many of you may remember my bout with shingles. My doctor and the specialists I saw said that two things in combination are typically responsible: chicken pox as a child, and stress. Nothing could be done about the chicken pox. I’d had it. I was also embroiled in a highly stressful environment. When I had an opportunity to remove myself from it, I took it. 

Enough said. 

I’m still passionate about politics. While I’m somewhat heartened that our sitting president seems to be losing ground, both nationally and in the swing states, it still remains “too close to call.” The fact that he isn’t losing ground in the same manner that rats desert a sinking ship – by the droves – is beyond me. 

Ohio’s economy is slowly moving in the right direction. Our voters don’t seem to have made the connection between an improving economy and a fiscally responsible government in Columbus. That leaves me scratching my head. 

At the same time, a state can only do so much under the thumb of bureaucratic tyranny coming out of the nation’s capitol. 

Locally our economy continues to improve. So much so that we are now beginning to see a shortage of qualified workers for available jobs. This as well is due to local efforts; no thanks to Washington. 

To meet that concern our LOCAL leaders have recently inaugurated a career training program in partnership with Greenville Schools. Good stuff. The program is set up to meet current and future needs of our own business environment by training both the workers of today, and those of tomorrow. 

So except for a potential catastrophe looming on the national stage if America’s voters don’t get their act together, everything is hunky dory. Right? Wrong. No matter who sits in the Oval Office in January, we still have a huge problem facing us as a nation and a society. 

It’s called providing a better future – one that not only improves quality of life but also returns the freedom our forefathers gave their lives for – to our children. The current administration is reinforcing the momentum toward more government control and dependency; the new administration (if there is one) will have to try to stop that momentum. 

A lot of people today don’t like being told they have to “do for themselves” again. 

Writing blistering columns about the state or nation’s ills from a small town in Southwest Ohio is fun, but if you stop and think about it, it’s also an act of self-aggrandizement. 

It made me feel good but what did it accomplish? Nothing. Nada. Zip. Look who got elected to our nation’s highest office despite my pleading and cajoling. 

So yes, from that perspective I have moved on. I’m not going to change the world by blasting the wrong-doings of our elected officials. I’m not going to change the world, period. 

I was perfectly satisfied working with the students I taught at Edison… young people with good heads on their shoulders and adults willing to work hard to improve their lives. 

Did you know that most of the “adult” students are married and/or have children and work full or part time jobs in addition to carrying a full load of college level classes? 

They are busting their butts to make a better life for themselves and their kids. I’m privileged to provide some guidance in my areas of expertise. 

When I was in college, out-of-state tuition at Texas A&M was $500 a semester. I was able to work part-time for both my tuition and living expenses. Kids today can’t do that. County News Online helps meet some of their needs through the SSSF scholarship program. 

Then there’s the “little ones.” God loves them… and so do I. 

I can thank Susie (Riegle) and Tammy (Stritenburger) for opening that door for me. I’m 68 years old. My grandkids are in their teens and early twenties. My experience had only been in teaching at the college level. How in the heck was I supposed to teach or identify with kindergartners? 

“Just love them,” they said. “They need good male role models in the classroom.” 

Read to them and help them with their reading, numbers and letters. Help them to learn right from wrong, and follow rules of proper behavior. Guide their creative activities and play time… 

Okay. I tried it. I love it. 

To be honest, it is probably one of the most momentous and fulfilling decisions of my life. And friends, it has absolutely nothing to do with politics. It has to do with trying to make the world a better place, one child at a time, through learning, love and support. 

Any day that I can have an impact on just one child’s life - one that he or she will carry into adulthood - will be a successful day. 

These kids need us. They need strong family and social values. The more our children can be impacted to perpetuate those values – by all of us – the better chance our society has of offering a full, productive future to all. 

That’s My Opinion, What’s Yours?