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Well stated... I think that too many of the examples that young people take their cues from tend to encourage a desire for "instant gratification"... And I would be lying if I said that I would want to teach in a rough neighborhood again... My first teaching job was in South Gate, CA back in 93 and I remember seeing the working girls out in force during the daytime near Tweedy and Long Beach Blvd.... I was very pleased to get past the 710 on the 105 and head home...

You are talking about giving something back and I agree that it should occur... I have no easy answers on that because I have dealt with the bigotry that some black people perpetrate on others... Not an easy thing to deal with...

However, I would like to be like this guy who goes quality of life at age 52 (money saved, 401K in good shape, kids graduated from school and doing well)... I know, however, that with social security being unreliable when I get 65(I am 40), I have to do as much as I can now to secure my future.... When I see people having a hard time in any community, I sometimes say "there, but for the Grace of god, Go I"... Keeps me focused on trying to do good... Wish I had a better answer for you because I know that I feel like I have paid my dues and deserve better but I know I need to find a way to give something back... Like many with a few letters, I spend so much time helping myself, I find myself going into a situation where I can not help others... I will have to work on that....

RE your post #72 - And I would be lying if I said that I would want to teach in a rough neighborhood again

Thanks for your thoughtful response. And, your very honest statement above. I don't want to teach in that kind of neighborhood again either, and I really wonder how that whole problem will ever be solved. At one time I thought if I made more money I would do it again, but now I realize there is no amount of money that would induce me to return there. I realize now many other teachers feel the same way. So, who teaches those kids? I have no idea. I only know I prefer my life now. I try to give what I can, but some situations are too heartbreaking for me to bear. How some of those kids make it day to day, I have no idea anymore.