Debate with a teacher

Dear Moby,

I wanted to say that after many years as a morning listener , I will no longer tune in on my morning commute to my elementary school where I have worked as a teacher for 20 years. You have made a dreadful mistake in assuming that your listeners fit into a nice neat package of predictible beliefs and attributes. Not all your listeners are white, middle class and have a NASCAR mentality- some just enjoy a laugh and some good country music.

Your comments concerning President Obama were unpatriotic and unpardonable. I teach children who have found hope and a reason to feel a part of the American dream due to this man. They are talking about going to college and having a career and yes, even being president.

Having a husband with three heart conditions and a daughter with a rare blood disorder, I know the terror of the pre- existing condition in regards to health insurance. Our savings has been depleted paying what my state insurance will not, and we live from day to day. Yes, my husband and I work- we both work two jobs to keep our heads above water. I still find a way to buy for my students at Christmas who would have nothing were it not for help from caring people. I trace shoes on paper and head to the store to buy for those who wear shoes we can no longer tape together.

I do this because Jesus said to do it. The majority of his teachings were instructing us to help those less fortunate and do our part. It is our moral responsibility. Try teaching children who are hungry, sick and dirty, needing antibiotics and a good meal – needing to be home in the arms of their mother who can’t dare miss a day of work and have no health insurance- these are your listeners, Moby- these ARE your listeners. They are the poor who need a little help to have a fighting chance.

Calm down, your money is not going to be taken. You will be fine. You will simply not get the big breaks you did during the Bush years. The breaks will go to teachers and fire fighters and people like me, who just get by.

I think the phrase "you lie" applies best to President Bush, when he told us we were in immediate danger of the weapons of mass destruction found in Iraq. As we know, they didn’t exist- and thousands of innocent people are dead.

So you see, your listeners are not all LIKE you- they just ENJOY you. The humor, the music, the wacky wake up song— untill you crossed the line.

Take care, Karen







Dear Karen,

I’ve read your email. I do understand that you’ve chosen to leave my audience because of our philosophical differences on the current state of affairs in our nation.

Like you, Karen, I practice charity because Jesus would want me to and because I feel it’s the right thing for me to do. It’s my choice as a Christian and as a decent human being to conduct myself with love and a sense of charity.

Jesus wanted us to be charitable of our own individual free will. Those he opposed wanted to tax the subjects, to take earnings from the citizens and distribute what was rightfully property of those citizens in whichever way they deemed right with no voice of the citizenry involved in the decision. That’s not charity. That’s not Christianity. That’s Socialism.

We’re being told the government will force us to be charitable and enforce it by law. That’s not independence. That’s not liberty. That in no way reflects the goal of our founders.

Charity is not the role of government. Charity is the benefit of love, human kindness & Christian giving.

Socialism is in no way the goal of our founders. However, it does appear to be the goal of our current leaders.

Regarding Bush. We’ll never know the horrors we’ve been spared since 9/11/2001 because of our dedicated, patriotic forces working beyond the glare of publicity,

and far away from the spotlight.

Our future depends on the governments ability to depend on a motivated and patriotic population, not on a population depending on care and benevolence from the government.

The role of government should be to remain out of our lives & wallets whenever possible.

As a Multiple Sclerosis patient, Karen, I certainly understand "pre-existing condition." You don’t have a corner on that concern.

Certainly the insurance industry, and health care professionals need to operate for the general welfare of us all. But a government mandated restructuring of the entire health system is absolute lunacy. That’s throwing the baby out with the bath water.

That is not the basis of freedom and independence. Is it safe to assume you don’t teach history?

All our president, or our would be Emperor and his monarchy, has taught our children is that you don’t have to have leadership qualities to be elected a leader. You’ve only got to be an eloquent speaker with a good PR department.

Karen, that’s simply not true.

We disagree, and at least for now, as Americans, we have that right.

I truly hate to see you go from our radio family, Karen. I would hope you reconsider that choice.

I hate it even more for you, to be blinded by a government that, if left unchecked and unchallenged, will be our provider, our babysitter, and as such be our keepers, and rulers.

I’m terrified for our children’s future, and I’ll not change my opinion simply because it differs from yours.

You take care, and God bless you through all the challenges you good people are having to withstand.

MOBY