As a teacher, you need the NEA legal protection and you don't need blackballed by other teachers. They get us for a few gran in union dues but also send us NEA today every month; good for a few laughs towards the left. Too much politics with school boards and parents nowadays.
What legal protection do you need? Protection from what? Black balled by whom, the liberal teachers?
Don't you realize the "few grand" you give them in dues is used primarily to fund those causes you say you are against and you think it is worth it to receive a monthly union rag?
You are just excusing yourself for being in the enemy's camp and keeping quiet about it so as to protect your job. You are not alone and I don't condemn you for it, well not entirely. Many teachers are in the same boat.
I know quite a few union members from all walks of life. All are living a contradiction. They defend their union but vote against all the union stands for. I am happy they do oppose the union politics but defending and opposing at the same time has to be hard on the psyche.
Have you exercised your Beck rights? If not, per the US Supreme Court decision Communications Workers v. Beck, you have a right to deprive the NEA of that fraction of your dues that goes to political campaign contributions.