Take responsibility for raising family

On April 21, The Gazette published a guest column by Jeff Klinzman (“Society fractures along belief lines”). This column brought into question the role that the traditional families play in society and whether parents have the right and responsibility to raise and educate their own children.

I disagree with his statement that “as a society, we all do share responsibility in raising and educating our children.” Society is a code word for the state and when a “collective” state assumes responsibility for raising and educating its children, no one has to accept personal responsibility for doing the same. Witness the breakdown of our traditional families over the last 50 to 60 years and the accompanying violence and misery taking place in cities across the country.

On April 22, The Gazette published a “Crypto-Quote” by George Santayana that states, “The family is one of nature's masterpieces.” It is quite appropriate for this discussion.

Gene Brodrecht

Marion