In a perfect world

In a perfect world, everyone would have his dream job. There would be no unemployment. Everyone who wanted to work would be able to. Work would be a pleasure, not a burden. Our jobs would earn us ridiculous amounts of money for the college education we received, an education paid for by our parents.

In a perfect world, teaching would be the most highly paid profession. A teacher would earn more than any doctor or lawyer. And rightly so; who do you think taught them what they know? To whom other than teachers do we entrust our children eight hours each day?

We expect teachers to discipline them, educate them, and help raise them. And all along we hold them accountable. Not for their failings, but for our own. Except for parents, no one individual has more influence on children. In a perfect world, teachers would be highly compensated for the impossible job we asked them to do.

In a perfect world, everyone would have equal access to affordable healthcare. Life-sustaining prescriptions would not slowly eat away at life’s savings. Seniors would not have to make a decision between paying the heating bill and paying for medicine. There wouldn’t be any deductibles, co-pays, procedures not covered, or confusing forms to fill out.

In a perfect world, there would be no need for armed forces. There would be no conflicts. Everyone would have found a way to live together with respect for another’s way of life. All prejudice would be put aside for the common good of all.

But in 2007 this isn’t a perfect world.

Most of us abhor our jobs. We call in sick when we’re not really ill, adding to the ever-rising cost of doing business. We feel as if we’re overworked, underpaid, and unappreciated. Our employer owes us healthcare, weeks of paid vacation, and a retirement — or so we think.

In our not-so-perfect world, most of us are not rich. The education we received we paid for ourselves with student loans. Ten years later they’re still not paid off.

Doctors and lawyers are paid more than teachers. So are politicians and professional athletes. It seems they are not held accountable for anything. Instead, we hold teachers accountable for everything. Politicians tie teachers’ hands with No Child Left Behind legislation and other non-funded mandates. Less funding and additional workload — is it any wonder we have a teacher shortage?

In our not-so-perfect world, the cost of healthcare has become unhealthy for many Americans. The people who need medical insurance the most can’t afford the sky-rocketing costs. Drug companies have put profits ahead of conscience.

The elderly and poor are forced to live with their illnesses until they can’t stand the suffering any longer. Then they fill our hospitals. The diseases caught early could have been cured, now lay waste to many. Is there any wonder there’s a nursing shortage?

Unfortunately in our not-so-perfect world, there is a need for our armed forces. Somehow politicians have deemed it necessary to involve our country in conflicts all over the world. In doing so, we are forcing our beliefs and our way of life on others. Forcing someone else to do what you want them to do because you’re bigger and stronger. Isn’t that the definition of a bully?

People from the North and South still don’t get along. Many people still choose not to live near anyone different from themselves. We want to stop the illegal flood of workers crossing the border of Mexico, but they are the ones who are willing to work.

How quickly we’ve forgotten. At one time, we all were immigrants. It seems to me we need to work on all of us in the U.S. getting along before we try and tell the rest of the world what to do.

No, it’s not a perfect world. But it could be.

In just three days it will be the start of a brand New Year. Find someone to help. If we all take care someone who is less fortunate, one who has lost his way, think of the difference we can make. In 2007, make our world a perfect world. One person at a time.