I am writing in response to the political advertisement on page 29 of the Nov. 3-4 issue of Maine Weekend which has been printed the past two weekends. I am questioning the apparent stereotyping of both government employees and teachers.

I started my first job when I was 10 as a newspaper carrier working for the Gannett Corp. Since that time, I have worked logging, farming, as a store clerk, lifeguard, mill worker, teacher, and am currently employed by the federal government.

I don’t get a three-month vacation. I accumulate approximately 104 hours a year. My normal work week is six days. I can be fired from my job at any time. I have seen teachers fired for the same reasons people are fired in other occupations. Yes, teachers may get up to three months vacation a year, but they are required to take courses for re-certification credits. These courses have to be taken either hours after school during the course of their normal workday or in the time allotted for summer vacations. There is no overtime pay for this like many jobs after 40 hours.

If you feel “teachers and those other government employees have not worked in the real world,” you’re mistaken. Those people have chosen these career fields just like other people have selected their occupations. I respect people for whatever jobs they’ve sought. Maybe you’ve had a bad experience with a few specific government employees or teachers, but stereotyping everyone is out of line. It’s a fact of life that every occupation may have a few bad apples, regardless of whatever one you may choose. Many professionals in government service and teachers across the nation are excellent employees, educators, and public servants. I have and am working in the real world, and these people are working in it every day. I am proud to be an employee of the United States federal government. Jim Marshia Calais