Will Third Teachers’ Union Bailout Fund Obama’s Re-Election?

Townhall.com ^ | September 13, 2011 | Kyle Olson

[Kaslin]

When the White House released its latest plan to stimulate – er, improve – the economy, everybody knew there would be a fresh round of spending to bail out government schools.

But there’s another motive too: dues for the teachers unions.

By my estimates, about three quarters of unionized teachers are represented by the National Education Association.  Every member pays dues, including $166 per year that goes to the national union, according to a secret union document posted on PublicSchoolSpending.com.  The White House says up to 285,000 teaching jobs – that is, dues payers – could be saved.

Given these facts, the NEA would be looking at about $35.4 million in “saved” dues.

Similarly, the American Federation of Teachers, which has annual dues of $184.20, according to financial statements found at AFTexposed.com, would have about 71,250 jobs saved.  The dues ramifications?  A little over $13 million.

It pays to have friends in high places.

Let’s go back to July, when the NEA passed an additional $10 assessment on its members to fund the re-election efforts of Obama.  Some teachers objected, calling it the union’s “Obama tax.”

If the dues the NEA will extract from many of its unwilling members is not enough, is it unreasonable to believe the union will tap into this new-found money to help the president’s campaign even more? After all, $35.4 million can buy a lot of votes.

This cozy relationship between politicians and special interests is what is turning Americans against corrupt government.

Could the White House for once do something in the interest of children and not the adults?

[Bean Counter]

This is what the code phrase “Investments in our Children’s Education” really means.

[liberalh8ter]

It’s outrageous to think that in America, a Union can force you to contribute to a particular candidate’s campaign. This is completely unacceptable and I’m not sure about tax laws but if Unions receive any favorable tax status, this should make them lose it.

[traditional1]

The money that goes to Unions is funneled right back to the DNC....a pure money-laundering/vote-buying scheme that NO ONE will attack LEGALLY, for RICO violation.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Do retired teachers want to spend their futures eating dog food because the money was spent on a failed effort to gain Barry a second term?

[She hits a grand slam tonight]

Those retired teachers are doing quite well thank you. No dog food for them I assure you.
Trust me the 2%, 2 1/2% or 3% rule for each yr of service is & has always been unsustainable, plus when it’s based on the last yr or 2 of salary, plus lifetime medical.
These pension plans alone will bankrupt all local & state governments soon enough.
Talk about a ponzi scheme.

[rhema]

I knew I had seen another $13 million figure mentioned somewhere.