Dear Editor:

Few things are as important to government as public education. It spends most of our tax money and it shapes the future of our children. I fear that the educational establishment is using our schools to indoctrinate, rather than to inform, our children.

I served on a panel to review history textbooks submitted to the state Department of Education for use in high schools. There are hundreds and hundreds of factual errors in those textbooks, and a substantial bias favoring communism and socialism, and against the United States, the Republican Party and the Christian religion.

Here are a few examples of what's in those textbooks:

. Students are taught that communism is an "experiment dedicated to ending human inequality and achieving a paradise on earth."

. Students are taught that all Latin American countries are "ineffective or corrupt," except for Cuba, which is described as "the one experiment in scientific socialism."

. The war in Vietnam is described as "The war of Liberation against the United States."

. The Christian religion is described as "It offered a blind devotion to an all-powerful God. One church father, denying the validity of human thought, simply stated, "I believe because it is absurd."

. Students are taught that George Washington appointed Thomas Jefferson to the Supreme Court, which is not true.

. Students are taught that overseas military ballots cast in the 2000 presidential election in Florida were not legitimate votes, which is untrue.

. Students are taught that, in China, "Mao was feverishly revered," and that, in Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh was "a national hero."

There are hundreds more errors. What can be done about this? Fortunately we have the opportunity this year to elect a new state superintendent of education and I hope Karen Floyd is elected. She understands the problem and is not part of the educational establishment. I fear this may be our only chance to shake up the textbook publishers.

Sincerely yours,

Walter McSherry

Spartanburg, SC

Retired state employees concerned about COLA

Dear Editor:

I am a retired state employee and former director of the Division of Economic Opportunity in the Governor's Office under Governors McNair,West, Edwards and Riley. Last Month I wrote each of the 25 members of the House Ways and Means Committee regarding the suggested Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) of 3.5 percent for retired state employees. I was very surprised when only one member answered my letter.

The anxiety I had then has been compounded by the recent decision of the Supreme Court regarding repayment of funds to some participants in the Teacher Employee Retirement Incentive plan (TERI) program.

The 100,000-plus state retirees now trying to make ends meet on their monthly retirement, particularly with the price of almost everything continuing to rise, deserve and are expecting to receive this modest increase in their monthly retirement. But unless the Budget and Control Board accepts the suggestion of the Retirement Fund Investment Commission to increase the projected return on investments, the 3.5 percent Cost of Living Adjustment will likely never come to pass.

Two significant points stand out about which the members of the General Assembly, especially the House and the Budget and Control Board need to be reminded. First, funds to pay for the 3.5 percent COLA would not come from the General Fund, they would come from the Retirement Fund, which means money we paid into the fund when we were working for the state is being returned to us. Thus the dollars for this COLA are already available. The only action needed to make the COLA happen is for the Budget and Control Board to approve the suggestions of the Retirement System Investment Commission when the Board meets May 16. It has been on the agenda for previous meetings but without explanation was deferred.

Second, our legislators, including the governor and the members of the Budget and Control Board, all of whom are elected officials, should not ignore the fact that the 100,000-plus retirees depending on this COLA are over 18 years of age and a significant number, regardless of political party affiliation, will be voting this coming November.

J. Lee Spratt

Columbia, SC

Be kind to handicapped folks who use scooters

Dear Editor:

How many times have we been in a shopping mall and seen a handicapped person in a scooter?

I had the occasion to be one of the scooter users for the past month and I have always been courteous and very helpful when I see someone who cannot reach an item on a high shelf because of their health restriction or can't pick out a certain food item that is out of reach.

The reason I am asking you to print this is because I would like for the public to ask themselves how long would it take to help someone who is at a disadvantage? You will feel so much better about yourself if you help.

You must realize that we did not choose to be in this position. We would like to walk just as you like we once did. Two months ago I could go into the mall and walk for three or four hours, but once I had to use that scooter I saw a different side. People look at us like we are just lazy. But one day they may be in the same or worse condition and then they will realize how it really feels.

Any kind of handicap is not to be laughed at or smirked at. I have met very kind people. We don't want pity or any special treatment, just understanding that an injury could happen to anyone. So the next time you are shopping anywhere and you see someone who needs help, you may remind yourself to be kind if needed and do understand that most people have pride and don't need assistance. But if you approach them the right way and in a kind manner to be helpful to them, you and they will feel much better about yourselves.

Thanks for allowing me to voice my opinion and may God bless us all.

Rosetta Dawkins

Gaffney, SC