It was an historic event. For the third time in US history,
a seated governor had been subject to a recall election. For the first time,
the seated governor won and remains in charge.
My advice – move on, people. There have been tears, cries of
the end of democracy, death threats to the governor and general lament. And why?
Because a group of people decided that he was evil and when
trying to balance the state budget, required a group of complainers to pay their
fair share. He set up for the teachers in the state to be treated as
individuals and not a group. I know that there are those that say collective
bargaining is a “right” but I believe it is like any perk in the workplace.
I resent that the teachers I know who work their fingers to
the bone, sacrifice family time and personal comfort to try to teach and
influence the youth of Wisconsin are given no more money or benefits than the
teacher who shows up, works and leaves, with no concern for the lessons learned
or the lives touched.
I resent that I work for ½ what a teacher is being paid
(their salaries are public record – I checked some names of people who have
been most verbal) to work 12 months a year. And then am told that I don’t know
what it’s like to work - and I work 5 days a week, 9+ hours a day, year round.
I resent that I pay my own insurance, watching the rate I
pay increase yearly, but pay it anyway and then are told that my tax dollars are paying the insurance of people who pay nothing...and in the new system will still pay less than I do. And I am locked into the insurance my employer provides - unless I really want to pay more for the luxury of a choice.
I resent that teachers keep saying how they went to college
so they deserve more money and respect. I may not have a degree, but I have gone to classes (paid
for by myself) to educate myself and keep up to date in my field. I only
get what my company can afford to pay. Is greed a reason to bankrupt my
employer?
It would be so easy in real life to have my salary based on
what someone else is earning and not on what I deserve. But on the other hand, why
should they get what I make if I am working harder?
As a taxpayer, I get slightly miffed when I see the quality
of education on the national charts near the bottom. Wisconsin has been lacking
in the quality of student they are releasing to the world…would more money make
better teachers? It hasn’t been proven in the past. How do our teachers demand all sorts of benefits when the test scores indicate they are not doing what they are being paid to do?
I do know some incredible
teachers who should get twice the going rate. I say screw the ones who hide in the
teachers’ lounges except for the time they are required to be with their
students.
When the educators actually prove that they are worth more
money, benefits and acclaim, I am all for rewarding them accordingly. But for
now, they haven’t done anything to make me support them or talk them up.
And if you are really adament and angry, put your name on the ballot - put your face and family, your reputation and values, your sensitivity and understanding out there for everyone to see.
But for the most verbal, you seem to prefer to be part of a crowd and avoid that Face to Face thing.
So to all those who are sitting at home whining about the end of democracy or plotting how to waste another billion tax dollars because you didn’t get your way…suck it up. Gather some self respect and pride and move on.
