I recently wrote a letter about the election of Nathan Deal and his subsequent failures. It has since come to my attention that people took my comments to mean that I think our teachers and citizens are stupid. This is absolutely not the case.

My intent was to show the political disconnect we have in Georgia. People no longer listen to the issues or look at the person running; it all comes down to what letter they put beside their name. People are so wrapped up in issues like abortion and gay rights or this crazy notion that a "D" means I want your money and "R" means I am for the working man.

I expressed frustration with the teachers who drive around with Deal stickers. This man said during the campaign that he was going to cut education funding. Why would you support him knowing he's going to hurt you financially? He has an "R" beside his name that's why.

Come on, people. That would have been like African-Americans voting for George Wallace. It just doesn't make sense.

As for the tax issue, no one wakes up in the morning and says, "I can't want to go to work today so I can pay taxes!" It just isn't going to happen. Having said that as an American and as a Georgian I feel it is the least I can do for the chance to live in this state and country. Our teachers, police officers, firefighters, military, etc., deserve to be paid. Yet when tax cuts are made, these are the people who suffer, every single time.

Look at the 2012 Georgia budget and tax law changes. You will see the tax cuts are not cuts at all. In fact, people making $180,000-plus a year, are the only people seeing cuts. The rest of us actually experience tax increases and our state is taking in more money than we have in the past three years.

While our teachers and schools are losing money, almost no money was cut from congressional departments, and Deal found enough money to take a taxpayer-funded trip to Europe. Yet come re-election time, his slogan could be "Hey, I think you are stupid. Vote for me" and he will still get votes.

The facts are all out there; people just refuse to take a look for themselves. Look at the person running, look at what they stand for and if they can be trusted. Not at the letter beside their name.

Growing up, I have always had nothing but the most respect for anyone who chooses to work in public service, especially educators. The fact that people choose to spend their lives underpaid, overworked and underappreciated just to make a difference in the lives of everyday people, our children, our community and our state is amazing and incredibly selfless. Thank you for everything you do.

Richie Fearn
Clermont