Further, it is the unions that whine, not teachers. The fact is (since you allow simple assertions to be fact) that the vast majority of teachers don't do it for the money - they don't need or want a lot of money...otherwise they'd do something different.>>
Rubbish! Then why don't teachers make a "Principled" stance against their unions when they tell them to walk out? If they really care so much about the kids? I'm sure if the union tried to bully that many teachers, we'd get lot's of news for it and the union would be history.
I know too many teachers who love the security their union brings them to know you are talking out of the side of your mouth. Sure, they may love the kids they teach too, but it takes a sideburner to making sure they are getting their fair shake. Seen it time and time again.
There are teachers doing just what you want. In Georgia, you have not only the option of whether to join a union, but you can ensure that if you do join, your fees will not go toward political activity (yeah right).
Nevertheless, my wife's school is about half and half union/non-union. THe move is toward non-union and is steady and significant. Most who are in the union have been in it for years. Nearly every new teacher declines. They get their liability insurance alone and apart from the union- which has always been their selling point (along with political action). But younger folks don't like the politics of the union and are foregoing it.
THanks to constant complaints in the media about the unions, they are shrinking.
I don't begrudge another profession simply because it has perceived security. Do you?
And please explain what you mean by "talking out of both sides of your mouth".