I am reasonably certain that most, if not all people, agree with the assertion of one of your readers that the family unit is a bedrock of civilization and culture and that parents are responsible for the educational needs of their children. And I, like most parents, take that responsibility very seriously.
In fulfilling that responsibility, I determined 17 years ago to move to Great Neck so that my children would be able to reap the benefits of an outstanding school district. And for my children, I am willing to pay higher taxes so that the quality of the school district is maintained; so that they receive the education they need to help prepare them for the future.
With all due respect to your reader, I am hopeful that most of your readers will not think I am a sycophant for promoting the nostrum that we as members of society have entered into a “social contract.”
We, in fact, have a social responsibility to do what is necessary to maintain and improve not only the school system in Great Neck for my children, but all school systems for all children in New York.
One of our greatest and most important responsibilities to our state is to ensure that we prepare future generations for the challenges ahead. We can fulfill that responsibility by doing what is necessary to maintain and improve our education system.
And if that means I need to pay higher taxes because I chose to live in Great Neck, N.Y., then that is what I will do.
If your reader does not wish to participate in the social contract that obligates us to support the education of children in New York because it is dubious piety, he should feel free to move to a state free of sycophants.
Stuart Dolgin
Great Neck
