If I read one more crybaby letter about our poor, underpaid teachers in the South Butler County School District, I think I'll throw up.

It amazes me how so many people think that just one more pay raise will make all of our kids smarter.

There is a parade of mostly young people stumping for how great and dedicated our teachers are, and that anyone who disagrees with giving them what they want must not care about "our children."

I don't disagree that the teachers work hard, and I don't question their dedication. The point is, who is going to pay for it?

I'll answer that question. It's the people like me with the unforgivable sin of owning a few acres of land and a house - a house that I put my money, heart and sweat into.

I took the time and energy to build; my reward is to pay repressive taxes to support the schools.

In about a month or so, I will be writing a check for thousands (not hundreds, but thousands) of dollars. In the spring, I'll pay another $500 or so to the county and then do it all over again and again and again.

I am just barely able to make these payments. I am not rich. As a matter of fact, 75 percent of the teachers make more than I do.

What am I to do when I'm not working anymore? Is my future as an old man to live in a trailer park?

People ought to look around; repressive property taxes are forcing more and more people into rentals or low-cost housing.

Getting back to the issue of teachers' pay, I hear the claims that if we give better pay, we get better-educated students. If this is true, why are District of Columbia students doing so poorly? More money per student is spent there than anywhere else and the results are abysmal.

As long as the teachers union has an iron grip on the faculty, we will never have better education, no matter how much money we shovel into that always-hungry monster.

I am extremely frustrated that the property owners are carrying the burden for all the kids. The never-ending demand for more money must stop.

I worked very hard for what I have, and I can see the day when I won't be able to keep it up. When that day comes, know this: I will defend my home when the sheriff comes to sell it. I will fight to protect what I built with my own sweat.

And, I will die in it before I allow the government to steal it "for the children."