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Let me tell you about my daughter. She earned three degrees in 5 years, played basketball for Ohio State, and was a 4 year Big 10 Scholar Athlete. She is now happily married to the man of her dreams. She has morals, values, and is a staunch Republican. AND SHE IS A TEACHER.

Sadly, she is most probably getting out of the profession soon. She teaches HS Math in an urban school, and has gone through alot in the last 2 years. The worst was getting punched in the face by a female student last year.

As we were talking on the phone tonight, her call waiting beeped in with a message from the NEA about voting for Kerry. She was furious. She is held hostage by her union, having to pay the 900 annual dues, whether she chooses to join or not. And some of her hard earned money is going into the Kerry campaign.

I don't mean to ramble, but I guess I just want to make the point that it's time for any parent who has a child in the public school system to speak out. There are some really good, hard working, Conservative teachers out there. Maybe not for long though, if things go on as they are.

I was sorry to read about your daughter thinking of leaving the teaching profession. Ohio citizens need to get active in making Ohio a "right to work" state like Florida. Teachers in Florida do not have to join the local unions/NEA or pay dues unless they wish to. Many teachers feel the need to join unions for liability insurance offered by NEA. Fortunately in Florida, Governor Bush was instrumental in getting through free liability insurance for all Florida educators. I left membership in NEA 25 years ago! Your daughter having to pay $900 to the NEA organization which passes $ to the Democratic Party is a shame! I have heard that in some states where teachers are forced to join NEA, that many are fighting in courts to allow choice in membership. I hope things work out for your daughter.

Let me tell you about my daughter. She earned three degrees in 5 years, played basketball for Ohio State, and was a 4 year Big 10 Scholar Athlete.

BOOOO!!!!! (Just kidding!) The Big 10 has the greatest student-athletes in the nation.

She is now happily married to the man of her dreams. She has morals, values, and is a staunch Republican. AND SHE IS A TEACHER...I guess I just want to make the point that it's time for any parent who has a child in the public school system to speak out. There are some really good, hard working, Conservative teachers out there. Maybe not for long though, if things go on as they are.

Yep. One of the most unfortunate facts of teaching seems to be that the good teachers are set upon by those who don't want to be "shown up". Eventually the best teachers get burned out or tired of dealing with derision coming from the worst teachers. The system breeds mediocrity; that will never change until tenure is removed from the equation.