When I was watching the President tell a group of doctors the other day that they did not get into the field of medicine to make money, but to be healers, I was outraged!  I couldn't believe that the POTUS was suggesting that a person who spent a large percentage of his life educating and willingly putting himself into a mountain of debt just so he could one day heal people should not expect a monetary reward, as well as humanitarian respect, when he began his job.  I believe that doctors, like teachers and cops, deserve to be paid exceptionally high salaries so that the brightest and best among us might choose these professions instead of shying away from them, as some so sadly do.  As the saying goes, "money talks" and, as result, some of the best people walk...away from teaching, police work and, due to some slick moves by our President, I imagine the same will hold true for doctors.   

Mr. President, teachers do not get into teaching for the money either, but we darn sure should be paid more to educate the youth that will one day lead this country. I'm quite sure that the president had a teacher or two that touched his life in some way that eventually led him down the road to becoming the first black president of the United States. 

Same goes for cops.  Not one among us doesn't owe a cop something.  At one time or another, a cop has been there to lend a helping hand to us or somebody we love.  And all the while, they are putting their lives in danger.  Heck, so are teachers sometimes.  And doctors.  I've seen more news stories about school shootings and people shooting doctors than I ever thought possible in the United States.  And while money certainly is not everything, it does mean something.  Many people, like myself, feel "called" to teach, or be a doctor or cop.  But the sad thing is, money does affect a lot of people's choice of occupation. I am presently getting back into teaching English, which is what I was put here to do.  However, even I had to break down and get a job that paid well just to pay the bills off so that when I got into education I could enjoy the job and not have to worry about mounting bills that I would be unable to pay. 

And there are many people out there who would make great teachers, great cops, or now, even great doctors, but due to the lack of monetary reward in some places, and now even lack of respect from top members of our government, it's no wonder that some people are choosing other jobs that they don't really like, just to get a good paycheck every month.

I have heard sermon after sermon from politician after politician talking about paying teachers and policemen what they are worth, and it's really all a bunch of wind coming out of their mouths.  They know society agrees, so they talk.  Trouble is, they don't act on it.  It makes me ill, literally.  Just kidding (as I clean the lunch from my keyboard)!  :-)

My point is this: Teachers influence the next generation of those who occupy every position in society. If the teachers are lackluster, the future generation will follow suit. Cops protect us day in and day out, risking their own lives so that we can feel safe in our land. And if people who would make good cops choose some other kind of job, like guarding a celebrity because it pays better, then we might begin to not feel so safe in our own neighborhoods. In summary, teachers and cops do not get what they should be paid, and doctors are not getting the respect they deserve from those in Washington.

I'm sorry, but when I hear our president tell doctors, who comprise the third profession in the axis of necessary jobs to create a successful society, that they really do not need to be paid that much, I say "wrong!"  We aren't afraid to pay others for their value, but we trample all over what are arguably the three most important professions in ours, or any given society.  And if this president won't admit that pay is due where it is undoubtedly earned, then I won't rest until we find ourselves a new president come election day!  You can bet your small, but well-earned check on that, my fellow teachers and cops.  And doctors, continue to fight for what you've earned.  Because the next time my son gets sick, I want to know he is in the most capable hands possible.