Reading for pleasure and reading to be informed develop the reader’s comprehension, curiosity, inquiry, vocabulary, knowledge, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, willingness to understand complex things, willingness to explore unfamiliar ideas and people.
We want to help our children and grandchildren and money is an important way to help them especially in their young adult lives. However, the most important assets which our heirs can use are empathy, self-respect, appreciation, understanding, and critical thinking.
Although I am no longer a religious woman, I understand the powers of thinking: critical and creative thought empower us to learn, grow, empathize, adapt to changes, and plan for our futures. While absolutist and narrow thinking empower us to destroy all the possibilities and ideas of Others. Unfortunately for those who feel thus empowered, absolutist and narrow thinking is also self-destructive.
When the end of this right-wing fascist revival experiences its downfall, we as community and nation must grapple with the fact that we let this happen. We allowed right wing policies to erode the strength of our public education system. A thriving public education system is our first obligation.
Cults thrive when their followers run from challenges. Today's Republican party is a cult, a criminal enterprise that benefits an elite few. Women must accept the challenge of resistance.