Today’s Author: Christer Cederberg
I always have enjoyed writing! That has resulted in many “Letters to the Editor”. But writing a Devotion comes with a deadline. So, in the middle of school graduation season, I will reuse an educational piece from my past – all I need is to [let Google] translate it ????.
I will do this in steps, though. Today you get to read a letter to the editor by Mr. Backlund, published in Dagens Nyheter, Stockholm’s largest newspaper, back in 1995. For reference, I also include his original Swedish text.
This letter really got me thinking. With our one-and-a-half-year-old daughter Linnea learning “Sweetish” and with the duties of parenthood starting to weigh heavily on my shoulders, I took offense at Mr. Backlund’s suggestions. I bolded some of his text below.
Twenty-five years later, I heard similar opinions while touring the Roseville Area High School. The topic was the upcoming referendum on a new bonding issue: “This school was good enough for me 50 years ago. Vote No.”
What do you think? What do the children mean to us? What do the children mean to you?
Tomorrow I will follow up with my own response. Let us pray…
O God, Educate us all. Let education be placed together with shelter and food as a given for all. Only with educated citizens will we prosper as a nation and democracy. Amen
Costs for children not the responsibility of the childless
In principle, the less you burden society with costs, the more you have to pay. Children cause large costs, such as school, medical care, childcare, general vandalism, etc. We who do not have children have to pay these costs together with the parents.
The difference is that parents receive different benefits, and now tax relief for them is also discussed. I consider this to be completely wrong.
We who do not have children should be compensated for this or everyone should be treated equally regardless of whether they have children or not.
Before having children, the conditions should be that you can do this without allowance and care. If you want to have children, you have to give up something else and a certain “start-up capital” would be required. Then surely some who do not want to give up the social standard would refrain [from having children] and think about what responsibility it really is to have children.
When there is a shortage of money in the treasury, the money should be invested in things that everyone may need, such as care for the elderly and medical care.
For the tax money that each working individual pays, a consideration is expected. Are we guaranteed to receive this, or should we have to pay again when it becomes relevant, for example for eldercare?
L. Backlund
Mid-week devotions are authored by members of our community. If you are interested in creating a trio of reflections to be shared on an upcoming Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, contact Pastor Peter.