I don't have a lot of time, but if I see one more teacher try and defend his/her profession in a blog, on the news, etc. I'm going to go batshit.
So many people, especially teachers, feel compelled to defend their profession. Don't. It's not about your profession or work or pay or anything else. IMHO, until people make it about those who are responsible instead of playing defense, we will not see progress.
Republicans attack teachers, however, prison guards, secretaries, sewage workers, etc. are also affected but aren't attacked with such zeal. Even though police and fire are not being directly hurt this time, they recognize what is going on and stand with the other unions against the stripping of worker’s rights. I find it extremely curious that the teacher’s union is the only union being discussed in the media (making teachers feel like they have to say, "but, but, but." to justify their existence. Again, teachers shouldn't be saying "but", the dumb-asses making the accusations should.
Perhaps teachers could highlight a truly fair solution that puts onus on someone else's profession: the crazy politicians. An across the board cut would be more “fair” and “just” but that is not what was done or asked for…. including the legislators and governor who refuse to lead by example. Indeed, their pensions and health benefits are pretty hefty on top of more than decent salaries paid by us, the taxpayer. I can’t believe I have to pay for them to go to rally’s and the election circuit every couple of years. I don’t think they’re working then. And what’s up with writing off everything from travel, to clothing, to food? We are paying those bills. Working class people don’t have those perks.
One thing I’ve noticed: for people who don’t teach, they sure know a lot about it. If the system is so broken, go and volunteer instead of sitting on the couch complaining. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll learn something. That might make a few people squirm -- "uh, get involved, uh, I'm too busy.." --
Then shut your pie hole.
I bet anyone I could make arguments about any profession and how they make too much money. I could go into any office and find the lazy ass who doesn’t do his/her job and claim everyone is like that. I could go into any business and find the person whose product is ineffective or defective or just plain inadequate. I bet I could make broad sweeping generalizations and call managers thugs who push around their employees.
Almost inevitably, these people get into privatization in one form or another. "Wait, they aren’t getting paid by MY taxes.” Sure enough, but we all pay for every single product and/or service in the US. Those prices go up because people are not doing their jobs. You get angry because the customer service is poor and guess what, you’re paying their salaries. And if they do any tangential work for the state, you are paying their salaries — ie. defense contractors, etc.
“I can take my business elsewhere. That’s the free market.” Indeed. But many areas just don’t have competition or quality competition which means no real choice at all. One only need to look at Verizon and their national coverage area or Time Warner in many rural areas to see little to no competition. Thus, they charge whatever they want.
Besides, free market means business should come in and compete. The government pays them to come in to their communities. They give them tax breaks and subsidies. Guess how much big oil and Bank of America paid in taxes last year? a big fat 0. Yes 0.
Big profits, DOW up, shared sacrifice? Not on your life. How can small businesses compete in that kind of environment? Small businesses pay their freaking taxes. Right, nice free market we have. This is what teachers could be highlighting -- that is OUR tax money creating an unequal marketplace.
All of this is to say this budget crisis is ridiculous on its face. We gave tax breaks to millionaires and corporations to create a deficit. The middle class gets the shaft while the medias argue about how unions are ruining America. And teachers who feel compelled to defend their profession feed into that frame.
This is basically my point: who ruined the economy? Who got bailouts? Who held them responsible for their actions? Who got hundreds or millions of dollars this year in bonuses? That was OUR tax money. Meanwhile who has to tighten their belts? Who has to worry about rising food and gas prices?
While we can deflect all these petty arguments to unions and kindergarten teachers, the real people who put us in this situation stole OUR tax money and are not being held accountable. They are responsible. If you write about the issue, write about them. If you get interviewed by a local news outlet, talk about them. If you write letters to the editor, write about them.
* Full disclosure -- I am a teacher in NC, a "Right To Work" state. I also apologize for any grammar / spelling issues as I have to run to my next class but felt compelled just to rant some. Thanks.
