Speak Out

For once, good overcame evil in the recent state elections when Alabama Education Association-funded Democrats attempted to subvert a Republican primary for Alabama State Board of Education by running as Republicans against the incumbents.

In the process, AEA czar Paul Hubbert spent $400,000 of teachers' money trying to unseat board members who favor cleaning up the fraud and corruption in the two-year college system and who support Chancellor Bradley Byrne's efforts to rid the system of legislators holding no-work, high-pay jobs in the system. Alabama teachers apparently have a blind eye when they allow their money to be used to fund perpetuation of public corruption.

I believe the vast majority of teachers are totally honest and dedicated to their profession and are doing their best for the children of Alabama. AEA members turned $13 million over a four-year period to Hubbert to use as he chooses. If the money being skimmed off by greedy, corrupt legislators was used to raise teachers' pay or to buy school and classroom supplies, wouldn't we all be better off?

It does not seem to me that the best interests of teachers is served by using their money to perpetuate fraud. Where is the public outrage? Would Democrats tolerate the level of fraud and corruption being perpetuated here in Alabama if it were being done by Republicans? I would hope not — we all need to strive to achieve clean, transparent government and all need to be called to account regardless of party.

I hope ministers will warn their congregations about allowing the perpetuation of evil. I believe most families in Alabama don't want their children to believe that greed, avarice, evil and self-serving selfishness is the way they should grow up.

Don't most of us teach our children to be truthful, honest, to have integrity, to love God and one another, about the need for goodness and service to others above self? Of course you do. But don't be afraid to speak up and place yourself on the side of good over evil.

Tom Shelton lives in Jacksonville.