Letter of the week, 10/2/07

[David]

Teen drivers
Editor:
Every year, hundreds of state laws pass and few of us have any idea of their substance or what passage of the law does to our society. The teen driving law is a perfect example. The law is full of time parameters, age limitations, blue tooth use rules and further conduct details which few teens, even fewer parents, have had the time or opportunity to review.

I have asked several parents what they know of the law — remarkably little. If the parents do know the law, too many seem happy to let the legislature make the hard decisions for their children. One parent even said, "I'm really too busy to keep track of my teenager." I must say that the law reminds me of the restrictions my parents put on me thirty years ago. However, the restrictions of my parents could be altered by my parents as they observed my driving abilities. Set a driving age and be done.

The problem is that the ever-changing laws give our legislators a soap box to stand on. These same laws relinquish our parental duties. No longer do parents have to be the "bad guys" — when their child asks to do something he or she is not ready to do. We, as parents, just say, “I would love to let you drive with an over-packed car of teenagers the day you get your license, but Senator Fazano says you can't.” The saddest thing is that such laws and attitudes teach our children that the legislature, and not parents, is "parental" — that our government, and not we, the people, solves problems. We should solve problems. Shame on us lazy parents!

It is interesting to note how the law is "re-addressed" when our legislators’ children are now becoming new drivers!

DAVID SYLVESTRE, WALLINGFORD

[CMNSNC]

I have heard over the years, "The government ought to do something about it".
When that is the attitude, sure enough the government does do something about it, in the form of poorly written unenforceable laws. There are so many laws that have been written since we be became a free and independent nation that no citizen can go through life without breaking some kind of law. Not even our law makers know all of them. And most of them didn't need to be written if we were only paying attention and used common sense!
The best laws are not written but applied through common sense. Parents say they are too busy to keep track of their chidren. Get unbusy! The most important job you have is to teach your children what is right and what is not!
We teach our children through example. If we set a good example, then in most cases they will follow in our path.
The most important thing is to take responsibility for your own actions. It is not somebody elses fault if you make the decision to do wrong. It's yours and nobody elses. There are many people who have lived under deplorable conditions and still managed to come out ahead and contribute to their own success. If you fail, you have no one to blame but yourself.
In conclusion. Parents, don't let the government raise your children. As we have all seen they can't even manage to take care of themselves.

[CMNSNC]

I have heard over the years, "The government ought to do something about it".
When that is the attitude, sure enough the government does do something about it, in the form of poorly written unenforceable laws. There are so many laws that have been written since we be became a free and independent nation that no citizen can go through life without breaking some kind of law. Not even our law makers know all of them. And most of them didn't need to be written if we were only paying attention and used common sense!
The best laws are not written but applied through common sense. Parents say they are too busy to keep track of their chidren. Get unbusy! The most important job you have is to teach your children what is right and what is not!
We teach our children through example. If we set a good example, then in most cases they will follow in our path.
The most important thing is to take responsibility for your own actions. It is not somebody elses fault if you make the decision to do wrong. It's yours and nobody elses. There are many people who have lived under deplorable conditions and still managed to come out ahead and contribute to their own success. If you fail, you have no one to blame but yourself.
In conclusion. Parents, don't let the government raise your children. As we have all seen they can't even manage to take care of themselves.