[Jemian]

You are so right. The pressure on teachers to join the union is almost unbearable. It begins in college as if you're joining a club or professional organization.

I was invited to join and when I stated my reasons for declining, one professor denied the political stand the NEA had taken. Another confirmed it, but said that it was only a minor part of it.

The other students didn't understand. The NEA was grossly misrepresented.

But it continues. When a teacher accepts a position, it is automatically (or it used to be; this may have changed by now) assumed the teacher would be in the NEA. You had to be very proactive to stay out.

[Eska]

In my state, (and Alaska is as conservative as any state) you don't rock the boat or your teaching career is over. They take a couple thousand a year each off the wife and I. Now that the slickster is gone it doesn't bother me quite so much. JUst knowing that waco-clinton was getting my money ate me up. We signed off to have our pac money reimbursed and they sent us each checks for $15. ya right. Anyway, most freepers have no idea how powerful the NEA really is. They haven't started dishing money to repubs yet so I don't think they are sweating yet. Believe me the repubs would open their pockets faster than dems to NEA money. They are all thieves alike.

[scholar]

You had to be very proactive to stay out.

I can well imagine the pressure that you were under. Bless you and all other teachers who have told the NEA to stuff it.

[pepsionice]

The funny thing here is that not only does the Union pay the $800k, but that the members of the union will have to cough up the $800k via their monthly deductions. They can say adios to that money, which will have no value. I think the NEA better come up with some good explainations as to how it deserved a $800k fine.