I don't think it's a matter of people begrudging teachers and the like (this article isn't about dockworkers, mechanics or other gainfully-employed people). Rather, it's more of a reaction to the constant whining that the teacher's unions make about wages. I could understand if those wages were paid solely by the people using their services, but as one that has no children in any school, I am strongly opposed to the betterment of teachers' salaries when it means that I must have even more money stolen from my paycheck each week to support them.
The mechanic has his wage, and I can take or leave his services. The executive has his, and I can choose whether to buy the product or invest in the company. But that choice does not exist in the public education world. Instead, the taxpayer is tapped for a continuously larger portion of their income to support a system from which they receive NO benefit.
So you see, much of the begrudgement that you observe has nothing to do with people wanting a higher wage - most of us would gladly have a higher wage. Rather, it is about the idea that the wage exists outside of the marketplace and is paid out of confiscated funds rather than out of funds willfully paid by those that benefit from the service.
I wonder what percentage of your local school board's budget goes to pay teachers?
Many districts have a really top-heavy organization, and you wouldn't believe all the administrative people at the board office "supporting" the teachers...
Amen, brother, and preach on!
I also dated a 4th grade teacher at one point. And, she worked about 60hrs/week and taught summer school. The idea that all teachers are leeches and are to be scorned is absurd.