Carter a nice guy but awful president

While I'm no fan of George Bush (39 or 41), without question Jimmy Carter was the worst president in the history of the republic.

When Mr. Carter took office in 1976 inflation was 3.5 percent. When he left office a scant four years later, it was 13.5 percent.

The reason you pay so much interest for credit cards today is directly attributable to Mr. Carter.

His own Democratic Party (House and Senate) quickly ascertained that Mr. Carter was indecisive and unsure of himself and overspent and under funded massive amounts that quickly turned the U.S. into a banana republic with runaway inflation.

Mr. Carter himself was the kindest and nicest individual to ever hold public office but he should never have been elected to an office requiring ultimate decision making.

Bob Lowth

Arlington Heights

Can't compare teachers to police

Re: Why not reward teachers well? John Kuzak, Mount Prospect, Dec. 20.

I was absolutely appalled and literally dumbfounded by the letter from Mr. Kuzak.

Do you really think that you can compare police officers and firefighters to teachers?

Does a teacher go out every day not knowing whether or not he will be returning home at the end of the day?

You refer to your own son and as a result of heredity, he will be intelligent. Do you know that most law enforcement departments require a bachelor's degree?

Education isn't a question nor is intelligence.

You hope your son will become a teacher and enjoy the vacations and nice retirement. Is that the only reason you want him to be a teacher?

What if this intelligent young man comes to you and says, "Dad, I want to be a firefighter or a police officer." What are you going to say? It's too dangerous or you are too smart for that?

Maybe a police officer or firefighter retires at the same time as most teachers, but think about the years they have put in dealing with people who may not always be the best of our society and the stress that goes along with it.

It seems to me that most students are in school to learn, so where is the comparison?

I suspect from your letter that your wife is a teacher. I will venture a guess that she is a good teacher and if so she should be paid accordingly. However, I will bet that she makes more money than a police officer or a firefighter.

Do a little research. Find out what your local police and fire department personnel are making, then compare it to the teachers' salaries.

Better yet, next time you need help, have a medical emergency or your house is on fire, call a teacher!

Eugene R. "Gene" Dawson

Barrington