Do you think it's possible to be against Teachers Unions without being against Teachers? Unions in general have done many good things in general for their members. But frequently they become too powerful and stop being forces for good. Many Union members in states that don't have right to work laws wouldn't join if they didn't have to join. I think we'd all like to have well paid teachers, but don't forget that money comes out of your pocket. Do you want higher and higher taxes so that teachers can make more money, have better benefits, retirements, etc? That's where things get dicey, the public only can support so much in terms of taxes before it hurts and you don't want to pay anymore even if somebody else who is worthy is the benificiary.
One thing about the GOP that I am in complete favor of is pulling funds from the "pet" projects of either party. I am not in favor of barring teacher raises as Minnesota wants to do.
Absolutely.....I have two sisters and a mother-in-law that were teachers and believe teaching to be amongst the most honorable and rewarding professions under the right circumstances. I believe the unions have so corrupted the system that they have almost brought it to its knees..... They have long since abandoned the duty to look out for the interests of their members and are only focused on maintaining the status quo of the bureaucracy and the lure of wielding political power and influence.....my experience showed me that without a doubt, if there is a risk to their influence - even in the event that it is beneficial to their membership - they will seek to oppose it with every fiber of their being. They have destroyed the system for the benefit of their own political gain.....
The questions are: Have teachers benefited from having a union in wage and benefit packages? Will teachers benefit in the future by not having collective bargaining? If the answer is no on the 1st question and yes on the 2nd how so?
Dave; They are suggesting a two year freeze, not a law "barring raises". Minnesota teachers salaries have gone up 10.4% in the last four years while the state is going through crushing times. I am a public employee and my compensation has not just been frozen but has gone down over the last three years, as have the salaries of many gov't servants.
I don't believe those are the relevant questions..... In the grand scheme, teachers are employees of the government and as such are intended to play a role in the system that is beneficial to society. So in that respect are not the relevant questions: 1) Has union involvement created a compensation structure that attracts and retains those individuals best suited to serve their unique and valuable role and in so doing, provide the backbone for a sustainable public education system that has successfully performed its vitally important role in our society? 2) If no, then does union involvement make it easier or more difficult to implement changes necessary to achieve society's public education goals? I know there are those that would disagree, but I think the answers are pretty easy.....
You're a money guy BT. Give me your answer to your questions based on if it was your son that is just starting out as a teacher. My son has a 5 year teaching degree from a university with a well respected program. He also is completing graduate math courses and will have his masters teaching degree in math and a Bachelors in English. Would you want your son in such a similar circumstance to be bound financially by the shortfalls of the public budget?
Your son chose to pursue a degree in education for some reason. An education major has never been the path for great financial rewards but has provided boundless non-monetary riches to many for whom teaching is a passion. Had he been driven by money, it is unlikely he would have chosen the path that he did.....if the reasons that he chose to study education remain valid and his passion for helping others learn is still strong, if he were my son, I would encourage him to follow his passion and continue his journey.
Which I certainly do every chance I get. But I also do not want to see him struggle financially and have trouble finding the cash to properly raise his family while at the same time 50% of the public is thinking ( or brainwashed into thinking ) he is underworked and overpaid as it is.....an opinion which is born out of partisan politics more so than reality.