Driving under the speed limit and within the bounds of prevailing conditions is NOT reckless driving, it is abuse of power again gone haywire. Hey, they want our MONEY, they do not serve our needs or interest. They are derelict and guilty of malfeasance, betraying the public trust, millions of times over ever year. I am so GD tired of seat belt – freedom of choice nonsense, pot busts, private poker game busts, “soliciting sex” crap they hammer white males with who simply want to proposition a woman who turns out to be an undercover sting bitch with tinted-glass squad car back up.

Law enforcement and its partner in crime, the justice system in this country are out of control corrupt. When a creep like Spitzer walks, it is over for the good and decent rest of us.

The primary reason I make the distinction between the poor, middle, and rich environments is that even if one knows absolutely nothing about Mr. Ringer, his income, or where he raises his family; it is easy to tell that he is experiencing the normal, everyday, problems of an upper middle-class/wealthy neighborhood. He writes, to a considerable extent, on the subject of school bullying and other such problems which seem to vex a growing number of Americans.

I always enjoy and benefit from Mr. Ringers opinions on the problems of everyday living. I wish him success in being a parent and grandparent.

I tried to inculcate all the facts of life and death into my children from a very early age. I also tried to help them build a personal foundation that would give them both mental and physical abilities that would serve them throughout their entire life. Below are just a few of the controversial rules I made my children live by. At the time, some individuals highly criticized me for these rules as being too cruel, abusive, and extreme. Frankly, my response was, and still is, “the way in which most people raise their children is the reason why we have a country that is in such poor shape mentally, physically, and emotionally.”

A rule to live by: Everyone in this family works seven days a week, just like I do and my father before me and his father before him. ( This does not mean that there is no time for recreation, a vacation, or even a trip around the world.)

A rule to live by: Absolutely no basketball, football, tennis, ping-pong, or other school sports will be participated in as regular extra-curricular activities. No joining the school team.

A rule to live by: A private martial arts school must be attended at least 3 times a week. ( This rule was costly for me as I had to drive my children back and forth to class and competitions for nearly 4 years. Note: this rule totally eliminated the bullying problem before it even started.)

A rule to live by: You must learn how to ride a horse and a tractor by the age of six; a pickup truck by the age of 8. ( I not only made my children learn how to drive, I made them learn how to repair.)

A rule to live by: You must learn how to shoot and care for a firearm.

A rule to live by: You must learn how to raise, kill, preserve, prepare, and eat a farm animal; and also hunt, fish, and trap a wild one.

A rule to live by: You must learn how to grow a garden. ( My children were able to completely run a farm before the age of 16.)

A rule to live by: You must never be caught holding a tool for physical labor(like a hammer or shovel) when you’re supposed to be holding and studying a book.

I didn’t make-up the above rules, I inherited them—and many others like them. They served my family very well through the years, including the last Great Depression.

Before the Great Depression, my family didn’t stockpile gold, silver, stocks, bonds, or any material items. They didn’t have to because they were successful farmers, tradesmen, and businessmen who offered services that were necessities. Some members of my family actually became some of the wealthiest people in upstate New York because they *stockpiled critical knowledge and skills.*

If you want to teach your children something that will truly benefit them, then pull them right out of public school and teach them privately for three hours a day. Have them work the rest of the day as an apprentice with a master of his occupation. Teach them how to drive, shoot, fight, and show them what books to study and ponder over. Arrange for them to spend a summer inside of a working farm or ranch.

Obviously, the above approach to rearing children is mine, and not suitable for everybody—- just as Mr. Ringers approach is not suitable for everybody. Generally speaking, my point is basically the same as Mr. Ringer’s point. “Think before you act” and think before and as you raise your children. Don’t just conform to public standards. Teach your children critical skills.

Rent a copy of The Horse Whisperer, starring Robert Redford. There are some poignant lessons to be learned about raising children in the movie. ( Mr. Redford, whom I’ve met, is totally off the wall in most of his politics, but he does fine work in some movie roles.)

I think Bridget Palin’s ex-fiancee is really just an uncaring slob. He has left his child to struggle with his disregard for its’s Mom, whom he claimed he loved. How wrong is that.

You were right with your note ‘orgasmic’ as I am sure the Katie Couric’s of the media are jumping at the chance to further hurt Sarah. Odd that the Obama was able to say stay away from my family … and they did. Odd, but not unpredictable.

I hope by next election a very different economy is [resented, but I ain’t holding my breath.