Posted on 02/17/2011 11:25:20 PM PST by shibumi
Across the board, public sector unions in the United States have developed an unholy symbiosis with a governmental apparatus steeped in mediocrity and non-performance.
The common perception is that the fruits of hard work and industry are somehow to be regarded as rights for the egalitarian masses. Bureaucratic looters have purloined the wealth of the nation on the local, state and national level and arbitrarily awarded it for substandard performance to union bosses and members. These sycophants, unlike their counterparts in industry are judged not on the superlatives of excellence and achievement, but rather on their ability to lower the expectations of their client populace.
The plummet in real ability to cope with even the most basic of academic problems (let alone anything of a weighty nature in the arena of ideas) is quickly upstaged by the local school’s performance in a sectional basketball game.
While this perverse inversion of priorities is largely ignored by the public, the ominously powerful teacher’s union (NEA) is busy agitating for greater funding to improve educational “quality.” When quality of education is talked about by the NEA it is in reference to class size (read “lighter work load”) newer facilities (read “perk projects for their brothers in the building trades”) and soft programs like art and music (read “jobs for starving artists and musicians without recording contracts“.) In private schools art and music programs are a natural outgrowth of a well-rounded educational experience. It's a dirty little secret that in most public schools however, they are a way of giving credits toward graduation to students who can’t read, write or add.
While modeled after the labor unions of the 19th century, the NEA is in the curious position of having as its adversary not the robber barons of capitalist industry, but the body politic itself. Its wages and benefits are being largely paid by those who are themselves modern wage slaves, albeit comfortable ones.
The union members of the NEA cannot escape the instant karma of economic contraction that results from the constriction of capitalism and entrepreneurship. The laughable (were they not so thuggish) demonstrations in Wisconsin appear nothing more than a futile attempt to increase egg production by strangling chickens. Had the NEA actually produced a generation of citizen voters who understood the system they were a part of, the rampant prosperity that resulted would make demands for money and security a moot point
But of course, that would have necessitated that they actually educate those put in their charge. Instead they indoctrinated, dumbed down and drugged multiple generations, transforming them into an overpaid and under qualified work force of which they now find themselves as the paradigm.
"It's Only Hate When Republicans Do It": Screencaps of the Violent, Hateful Union Communist Movement
Late-Night-Reading-Ping
Very well done, shibumi. In a world of layoffs and belt tightening, I believe that events such as what happened in Wisconsin is only going to galvanize the public against public employee unions. Community agitation can work both ways.
NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR CHRIS CHRISTIE, 5-25-10
Public Service doesnt mean you're to be serviced by the public for life
President Kennedy’s Executive Order 10998, allowing Federal unions, is what opened the door for public sector unions at the state and local level, which is leading to bankruptcy from bloated public sector salaries, benefits, and retirement plans. Businesses that offered plans like many governments have would go bankrupt. Gov’t entities will, too, eventually, but it will be much more painful.
This is why unions should again be outlawed for public employees.
When collective bargaining was brought into American schools in the 1960s, it was a revenue stream and power base for Big Labor. Suddenly, union bosses became more interested in building political muscle than educating children.
At that point the battle between unions and school boards became more focusing on salary, benefits, pensions and working conditions for adults, and less about students.
Kids are only pawns in the self-serving union game.
What is the purpose of teacher unions? To work for children? Establish new and better requirements? Push their members to better serve parents and children?
"Despite what some among us would like to believe, it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children. And it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child. NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power. And we have power because there are more than 3.2 million people who are willing to pay us hundreds of millions of dollars in dues each year because they believe that we are the unions that can most effectively represent them, the unions that can protect their rights and advance their interests as education employees" ...National Education Association's just-retired General Counsel Bob Chanin. (The NEA is the County and State Association's parent body).
NEA General Counsel Bob Chanin Says Farewell:
As legendary New York teachers union leader Albert Shanker said, "When school children start paying union dues, that's when I'll start representing the interests of school children."
All government unions should be banned. The idea that government workers need protection from guess who?? THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, is ridiculous. remember, teachers are government employees. Ban government unions.
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Great post.
In the name of spreading the wealth around, how’s about giving me some of your talent ?
This is my favorite part:
“But of course, that would have necessitated that they actually educate those put in their charge. Instead they indoctrinated, dumbed down and drugged multiple generations, transforming them into an overpaid and under qualified work force of which they now find themselves as the paradigm.”
Thanks!
I tried to make Sister Mary of The Steel Ruler and Dr Ed Cronin PhD (Chairman Emeritus of the ND GPLS) not totally ashamed.
Every industry the unions touch turns to shinola. It is no wonder our public schools are in such a mess, it is no wonder our local and state governments are in such a mess. The public unions will do what they have done to the auto and steel industries in the US—sucked them dry. Private sector unions at least have the constraint of the bottom line. There is no such constraint in the public unions and they suck the taxpayers dry with the politicians connivance. Taxpayers must say no to public sector largesse.
Thanks!
BTTT
This is one well written post. Excellent summary.
This is one well written post. Excellent summary.
Sincere thanks!
I agree - but I think they misunderstand the size and disposition of the bear.
But if the NEA actually produced voters who understand the system they are a part of, there would be no need for Socialism.
And where would the NEA be without Socialism?
Defunct.
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Another fine essay, Sensei.
Well done, shibumi!
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