Opus 2014-35: Why?

Why do I keep teaching?

The quick, flip answer is I need the health insurance.  That reason may go away any day.  Another quick response is that I can’t afford to retire.  Taxes may change that.  A third is that my wife freaks out at the idea of me being home all day.  That has validity.

But why do I keep at it? 

I guess there is a bit of the idealist in me.  I have accepted that I won’t see a lot of change in the students I serve.  Most would hide it if they were aware of it.  I take a longer view.  Most of us do not become what we are in a moment but in a series of moments.  If I can be one of those moments then somewhere down the road there may be a different outcome.  Perhaps discussing the rule of law as opposed to regal fiat will stick and emerge at a key time.  Perhaps cause and effect will dawn on them someday as they step into a voting booth.  Perhaps they will remember that the inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are given by God not granted by a benevolent dictator in Washington. 

One can hope.  Meanwhile I buy ammo when it is available, check the locks before I go to bed, make sure that my gas tank is full and above all trust God as the author and finisher of all things.

homo unius libri