LEAVE THOSE TEACHERS ALONE, YOU MEANIES!

READER WARNING! The following snippets, taken from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, depict an incredibly sad series of events unfolding in our midst. Grab your hanky or a box of kleenex and have a good cry.

SORROW FOR MORROW

Excerpted from: Harsh rhetoric casting pall over profession, some say.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Whenever Ann Morrow gets down, she knows where to go. Over her 34 years as a teacher she has collected thank you notes from her students in a large shoebox. “And that tells me I must have done something right,” says Morrow, who is planning to leave her job. She wasn't even really thinking of retiring before this year. Then, Scott Walker released his proposal to repeal most of the collective bargaining granted to public-sector workers like her. She has even received a couple harsh emails from parents! “The mood-the mood is so different that it makes it even more draining,” she said. Sniff sniff.

Their motives and commitment to their profession have been questioned. They have been called lazy and greedy on blogs and website comment boards. Shame, shame shame on you bloggers and comment board people!

Wisconsin's public school teachers have found themselves at the epicenter of a widespread fight over public sector workers' earnings and the burden they pose to taxpayers. And yet, they feel an expectation to shrug off the criticism, report for work every day and meet an ever growing set of demands on their performance. Your courage and strength inspire me!

No wonder Morrow characterized the mood among her colleagues as “pretty bleak.” “I'm not sure when I became public enemy No. 1,” she said. Oh, you poor thing! You hang on to that shoebox girl because you did SOMETHING right!

MOORE EXPLORES OPTIONS

Excerpted from: Harsh rhetoric casting pall over profession, some say.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

37 year old Shelly Moore is a third generation Wisconsin public school teacher. An English and drama teacher of 13 years, Moore just finished turning the high school's production of Shakespeare's “As You Like It” into a musical featuring songs from the 80's. Sounds like MUST SEE theater! What a rare talent, I'm sure!

She's nationally board certified, the only Advanced Placement teacher in the school, and participates in a national, independent commission on effective teachers and teaching. Very impressive! Aren't we the fortunate ones to have Ms. Moore! Board certified, Oh my!

She received her layoff notice earlier this year. Noooooooooo!

Moore thinks she might get recalled, at which point she calculates she'll lose about $6000 per year under Walker's plans. Her salary without benefits is less than $50,000. “So I pay $6000 just to keep my job, and I have less people around me and more students in my classes,” Moore said. Gasp!

Moore adores teaching. But she's smart and single, which makes it easier to switch careers. “I think it would be fun to work in a bank,” she said. “I've thought about going to law school, and I applied for a job with the Minnesota Arts Board.” We hate to see you go but spread your wings and fly smartie pants!

A SAD ENDING FOR HYPHENATED LAST NAME LADY

Excerpted from: Uncertain about future benefits, many veteran teachers are retiring early.

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Two days before the April 1 teacher retirement notification deadline in Milwaukee Public Schools, Karen Scharrer-Erickson drove to the district's human resources office on her lunch break. The teacher of 43 years entered the room. Then she burst into tears. “I'm totally not ready,” Scharrer-Erickson said this week. “I never thought about retiring until the Scott Walker situation, because this school is so special and I am working with the most incredibly caring teachers I have ever known.” Pitter patter, pitter patter. Hark! What's that sound? Oh, it's my tears striking the keyboard as I type this. Shame, shame, shame on you Scott Walker!

Okay. Enough of this nonsense. Forget the kleenex, you may want a barf bag for the rest of the story. Not wanting to ruin their sob stories, the paper decided to just ignore the impetus behind Governor Walker's plan. Namely, the outrageous salary and benefit packages granted to public employees through collective bargaining. Well, here's the truth. According to wisconsinopengov.org, Ann Morrow made more than $70,000 in salary and another $37,000 + in benefits for a total of more than $108,000 in compensation. Shelly Moore, despite what the article said, made more than $53,000 in salary and another $22,000 in benefits for a total of more than $75,000 in compensation and Karen S-E made more than $72,000 in salary with another $37,000 in benefits for a total of more than $110,000 in compensation. And lets not forget that this is for working less than nine months a year! Morrow and S-E are retiring with an incredible package of benefits equal to roughly 70% of their salary. Don't go away whining, just go away!

Teachers and their intransigent union have been gouging our eyes out for years. Anyone with the temerity to question education costs or oppose the continuous string of referendums asking for more money was labeled “greedy” or “heartless” or perhaps just plain stupid. “It's for the kids” they would say. “Don't you care about the children?” We are now seeing how much some of these teachers care about the children. As soon as they are asked to contribute a nominal amount to their own retirement fund and pay a measly 12% of their own health care premiums, they bale out. Bunch of insolent, whiny, hypocrites.

The Journal-Sentinel, as so often happens, has kicked my gag reflex into high

gear. I am really getting sick of the deference paid to public employees in general and teachers in particular. The tone of the article makes me want to hurl. “No wonder Morrow characterized the mood among her colleagues as “pretty bleak.”” Actually I find quite a bit to wonder about regarding the mood of Morrow and her colleagues. I would think their mood would be shaped by a sense of relief and gratitude that they still have a gravy job with air tight security and four months vacation. I would think they could recognize what is going on all around them. Over nine percent unemployment, those still employed being required to take wage and benefit cuts and our state and country floundering with the burden of crushing debt. All they are being asked to do is pay a few extra dollars toward their own damn benefits!

And, another thing. Why is it just accepted as fact that all teachers are smart. Again, the Journal-Sentinel: “Moore adores teaching. But she's smart and single, which makes it easier to switch careers. …” How do we know she's smart? Just because she's a teacher? Teachers, along with their friends in government and the media, would have us believe their career options included nuclear physics and rocket science but they chose teaching out of pure altruism. Give me a break! Am I the only person that remembers high school? Think about it. Do your high school years conjure memories of walking the hallowed halls of academia with scholarly teachers there to guide you in the sacred pursuit of knowledge? Not me. I recall an environment where excellence and achievement were talked about while mediocrity was not only accepted but often celebrated. Standards were low for both students and teachers. It was kind of like a four year party and then you graduate and discover you don't know jack.

Ms. Moore has “thought about going to law school” and she thinks “it would be fun to work in a bank.” I dare you. I double dare you! Go work in a bank. Your first dose of reality will be discovering that your degree in education qualifies you for an entry level teller position. Then you will find that you are expected to work 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. You will probably get one week vacation your first year. You will be required to pay 30 to 40 percent of your health insurance premiums and maybe the bank will match three percent of your contributions to a 401K plan. And oh, by the way, your salary will be about half of what you make now and you will be held accountable, which means you can be fired if you suck. With all her potential options, its illuminating to see that the one thing she actually has done is apply to the Minnesota Arts Board, another institution that feeds at the public trough.

Public sector labor costs were a major factor in the $3.6 billion deficit Walker inherited. Former Governor Doyle chose to raise taxes, raid other funds and borrow money in an effort to avoid cutting costs. Governor Walker, instead, chose to make MINOR cuts in public sector wages and benefits to balance the budget. It is an indicator of just how much fat there is that he was able to do this with no negative affects on the taxpayers. The time is coming for all these whine bags. They want us to “spread” the wealth around. We've been doing that for generations and the wealth is gone. Time to “spread” the austerity.

THE AUDACITY OF DOPES

The Democratic Party has been tacking to the left for fifty years. Unfortunately, a timid and often witless Republican Party has allowed themselves to be pulled along. The depressing result is plain old crappy ideas being accepted as compromise to insanely crappy ideas. Well, not anymore in Wisconsin! We finally have a principled, conservative governor. His perfectly reasonable proposals will save a State that has been swirling the drain after eight years of democrat control. As an added benefit, we get whining liberals exposing the vacuum of their ideology.

That big ol' blob of liberal goo, Michael Moore, was in Madison recently to show solidarity with the workers paradise crowd. This is the same guy that claims individual wealth in this country has been stolen and rightfully belongs to the collective. Classic socialist drivel.

A recent column by Matthew Hayes in the Wisconsin Journal Sentinel, Einstein, socialism and the Wisconsin budget, continues on this theme. In a feeble attempt to bring credibility to his argument, Hayes cites some statements made by Einstein in a 1949 essay titled, “Why socialism?” I read the essay and found it somewhat interesting. I will save further comment on Einstein for another day. Right now, I want to focus on some of the comments made by Hayes.

He states, “The governor's recent budget proposal...reflects a political ideology that believes that government is providing too much to too many people.” Seeing as we are flat broke and facing a $3.6 billion deficit in the next biannual budget, that would be correct. Ding!

“It also reflects the fear that government is invasive and dangerous.” Founding Fathers, what do you think?: Ding! Ding!

“Those of us who believe that the government should maintain a strong role in certain aspects of human endeavors, such as health care, consumer protections and workers' collective bargaining rights, are now often labeled as socialists.” Here's how it works. Those things that fly in the sky are birds, those things that swim in the lake are fish and people like you are socialists. It's really quite simple.

“However, we should not fear socialism. ...In fact, there are many thriving democracies throughout the world that have been shaped by strong socialist political movements.” Is he referring to that workers' paradise in Cuba or maybe those thriving countries in the European Union. The only reason those little socialists even lasted this long is because they had Big Daddy, The U.S.A., protecting their sorry asses.

“The ideology that produced this budget fails to consider that government intervention does not necessarily mean a loss of individual rights or a loss of individual initiative.” Only every time it's been tried! Yes, indeed, those that do not know history are doomed to repeat it.

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING & OTHER LIBERAL NONSENSE - PART 2

Two weeks later Roland is back at the District GAS Station. After a 30 minute wait, he is directed to the office of Mr. Doyle, State certified arbitrator. Doyle offers a soft and clammy hand in greeting. “Hi Roland. Please have a seat.” Roland takes a place at a large conference table where Mr. Kohl and Mr. Feinwad, along with four men he has never seen before are already seated. Dolye takes his place at the head of the table. “I have reviewed this case and I am confident that my ruling will find agreement with all parties.” begins Doyle.
“Excuse me,” replies Roland, “You've already made your decision?”
“Yes, it was a pretty straight forward case.”
“Don't I get to say anything?”
“Of course Roland, What would you like to say?”
Pointing at the four suits Roland says, “Who are these guys?”
“They are council for Mr. Kohl and Mr. Feinwad. Anything else?”
“Well, what is your ruling?”
“I have ruled that the proposals offered by Mr. Kohl and Mr. Feinwad are reasonable and customary. Your have been awarded four new Adequate brand tires, a brake job and a new muffler system for the negotiated price of $3600.”
“What, that's it?”
“Pretty much.”
“All I wanted was four decent tires! Now I got all this other crap that I don't want or need and can't afford!”
“Well Roland, it has been well documented that you are not an automotive expert. What your car needs should be left to the experts. Furthermore, your claim as to affordability is irrelevant.
State arbitration law allows me to basically ignore your ability to pay. My responsibility is only to evaluate how your deal compares with what other GAS Stations are offering. When I did this, as I said in my ruling, your deal is reasonable and customary.”
“This is outrageous!”
“I think you should be happy Roland. The initial offer was four tires for $4000. You now get tires, new brakes and a new muffler for $3600. The union has clearly bargained in good faith here.”
“It's only a good deal when you compare it with the insanely bad deal they started with!
I might as well forget the whole thing and buy a new car!”
“You should have thought of that before you agreed to binding arbitration,” replied Mr. Doyle
“You are now legally bound by my ruling.”
Roland slumped in his chair. “I'm going to have to get a short term loan for the $3600. Probably take me a few days.”
“Make that loan for $8600, Roland. It is your obligation to pay for this hearing.”
Something struck Roland like a bolt of lightening. Maybe an epiphany, maybe an aneurysm.
He rose from his chair, turned to Mr. Feinwad and blasted him right in the face. He then took his seat and watched with amusement as Mr. Doyle opened the window behind him and jumped out, Mr. Kohl scurried under the table and the lawyers ran screaming out a side door.

EPILOGUE

Roland was arrested and charged with battery. Unfortunately, an overzealous prosecutor attached a hate crime enhancer to the charge arguing that Roland hated all government employees. He was convicted and sentenced to five years in state prison.

Mr. Feinwad sued Roland in civil court for his medical expenses and mental anguish. He retired on full disability from his Government Automotive Service job and now spends his time traveling the world as part of his therapy.

As a result of the civil suit, Roland and his wife were wiped out. His wife and kids now live with her parents. She works two jobs and feels blessed to have her parents help.
On the bright side, she now qualifies for free automotive care.

POSTSCRIPT

While a mere product of my imagination, this story does portray an accurate scenario as to the insidious nature of collective bargaining in the public sector and liberal silliness in general.

Many liberals are perfectly willing to lie and obfuscate to defend the indefensible. As a principled conservative, I don't do that. Liberals might say that Obama hasn't declared “car care” a right or nationalized the auto service industry and they are right. A few short years ago this would have been a ridiculous notion. I'm sure that many would agree with me that this does not seem to be much of a stretch in today's America.

The collective bargaining scenario in the story is based on fact. School Districts in Wisconsin must work within a system where virtually every aspect of their employees (teachers) work environment is subject to negotiation. Teachers have input regarding class size, school hours, the school calender, curriculum and all their sundry benefits. School Districts have essentially no flexibility. Any changes, however minor or beneficial to the District, are perceived as “concessions” by the union and require some form of compensation. There is no mechanism to actually cut costs.

A 2009 report by the U.S. Department of Education indicates that 66 percent of Wisconsin eighth graders could not read at a proficient level.

The Gas Station Trust is a reference to WEA Trust, the health insurance provider for approximately 80 percent of the School Districts in Wisconsin. WEA Trust is owned by WEAC, the States largest teachers union.

In the last biannual budget, Gov. Doyle did away with the Qualified Economic Offer (QEO),
the only option available to Districts to control costs and avoid arbitration. Not only did Doyle make arbitration more likely, he also removed a provision in the law that required arbitrators to give “greatest weight” to local economic conditions and how they affect a community's ability to pay. Basically - “Screw you taxpayers. If you can't afford it, go borrow the money!”

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING & OTHER LIBERAL NONSENSE - PART 1

Roland, a hard working business man, needs new tires for the family car. This will be Roland's first experience with automotive service since President Obama's Human Rights Czar decreed access to affordable car care a basic human right. To facilitate this new right, Obama nationalized all the auto service businesses in the country. Lets see how this works out for Roland.

Roland arrives at his District Government Automotive Service (GAS) Station. It is a huge facility with a big sign out front proclaiming: “THIS PROJECT WAS FUNDED WITH STIMULUS MONEY AND BUILT WITH UNION LABOR.” Marvelous, thinks Roland.

After a twenty minute wait, Roland finally is escorted to the office of Mr. Feinwad, a State Certified Tire Expert. “What do you need Roland?” says Mr. Feinwad in greeting.
“New tires,” says Roland.
“What kind of car do you drive?”
“A Ford Taurus,” replies Roland.
“Oh, that's too bad. President Obama just instituted a great discount plan on tires for all GM vehicles.”
“Well, I've got a Ford.”
“All righty then. Lets get to work on a solution that benefits all concerned.”
“What?” says Roland.
“Let me go do some checking. Be right back.” Feinwad leaves the office. Roland waits.
Ten minutes later, Feinwad returns. “I've got a deal for you Roland. I recommend that we go with the Super Duper brand tire which has the governments highest safety rating. Shall I put them on for you?”
“Wait a minute,” says Roland, “How much are they?”
“$1000 a tire for a total of $4000. Not including tax and surcharges, of course.”
“$4000! Are you nuts? I drive a Taurus, not an earth mover. I can't afford $4000 for some damn tires!”
“Come on, Roland. You own your own business. I'm fairly certain you've got a big wad of cash stashed somewhere and you're just too greedy to spread it around.”
Roland is speechless. He stares at Feinwad as he struggles to keep his emotions in check.
Feinwad continues, “You got kids?”
Roland gathers himself, “Not that it's any of your business, but yes, I have kids.”
“Well,” smirks Feinwad, “these tires would provide the highest level of safety for them. It's all about the kids.”
Roland is incredulous. “What in the hell are you talking about? I'll worry about my own kids!”
“It takes a village to raise a child.”
“You're an idiot Feinwad. Do you have a reliable tire that doesn't cost so much?”
Feinwad shakes his head. “Lets try to maintain some civility here. To demonstrate that I am bargaining in good faith, I'll let you have the Adequate brand tires for $150 each.”
“Good, I'll take them,” responds Roland. “When can you have my car ready?”
“Whoa there. You can't expect me to accept that deal with no concessions on your part.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your choice of the cheaper tire has negatively affected the total compensation for me and my union brothers. You'll have to make that up somewhere else.”
“Huh?” replies a confused Roland.
“It's collective bargaining. President Obama has wisely decided to pattern Government Automotive Service after our wildly successful public school system and that includes the fundamental right of workers to unionize for the purpose of collective bargaining.”
Knowing he was probably going to regret it, Roland still could not let that statement go uncontested. “Did you say wildly successful public school system?”
“Yes,” nods Feinwad.
“Well, I just saw a story on the news that said two-thirds of Wisconsin eighth graders cannot read proficiently.”
“Was that Fox News?”
“Why yes, I think it was.”
“Fox lies, Fox lies!” screamed Feinwad.
“Geez, calm down. A little civility please.” said Roland. “So most eighth graders can read well?”
“Ha ha! No, most eighth graders can't read more than a twenty-character tweet, but Fox News didn't tell you the whole story. Did you know the average compensation, including wages and benefits, for Wisconsin teachers is nearly $90,000? Now that is what I call wildly successful.”
“At least for the teachers.” replies Roland.
With arms raised to the heavens, Feinwad proclaims “It's the miracle of collective bargaining!”
With growing trepidation, Roland pushes forward, “What about my tires?”
“Hang on a minute. Let me get a union brother to help resolve this.” Feinwad leaves and Roland waits. Twenty minutes later Feinwad returns with a union brother.
“Okay, Roland, I think you will find this agreeable. We'll go with the Adequate brand tire if you will agree to a brake job.”
“What? I don't need new brakes.”
“Are you a brake expert? No, of course you're not. But Mr. Kohl here is.” The new guy steps forward and shows Roland his credential that certifies he is a State approved brake technician. “So, you drive a Ford Taurus, huh? Too bad. President Obama has authorized some great deals on brakes for all GM cars. Oh well, I'm sure we can get you fixed up.”
“I don't need anything fixed up. I need new tires.”
“So you say. How many miles on your car?”
“About forty thousand,” replies Roland.
Mr. Kohl looks horrified, “Oh my. The State Commission on Brake Safety recommends new brakes every thirty thousand miles.”
“That's ridiculous! There's nothing wrong with my breaks!”
“So you say. Better safe than sorry, I like to say,” replies Kohl.
“I'm sure you do. You're not the one getting screwed here. I think I'll just take my business elsewhere.”
Like a couple of hyena's on crack, Feinwad and Kohl bust out laughing. “Where you gonna go?” asks Feinwad. “Private automotive service is illegal,” says Kohl.
“How can that be?”
Another smirk from Feinwad. “It's the Quality Automotive Service and Fairness Act. Because automobile service is a basic human right, it is a societal obligation of all citizens to participate in the program. If rich people like you were allowed to opt out then the whole system would collapse with the poor and working families suffering the most, of course.”
Roland is beginning to think he should have been paying more attention.
“What if I just leave and don't get new tires?”
“Of course, that is your right,” replies Kohl. “This is America, after all. However, I must inform you that it is our duty to report you to social services.”
“What on earth for?” replies Roland.
“Driving around with bald tires constitutes child neglect.”
Shaken, Roland takes a seat. “How much for the break job?”
“With new brake pads and rotors I think $2000 ought to cover it,” replies Kohl.
Roland is up out of his chair, “No effing way! $2000 for a brake job?” What the hell are your labor rates?”
“Well, the parts are about $1200,” replies Kohl calmly.
“$1200 for brake pads and rotors? No way. Last time I bought them it cost me about $250! Where do you buy your parts from?”
“We buy all our parts from the GAS Station Trust.”
“Never heard of it.”
“It's owned by our union.”
“What? How can you do that?”
“It's an item subject to collective bargaining,” smiles Kohl.
“How much would the brake job cost if you bought the parts from Bob's Auto Parts store?”
asks Roland.
“About $1200,” replies Kohl, “but...”
“I know, let me guess,” says Roland. “If you do that I will need to get a new muffler or some other such nonsense, right?”
“Now you're talking Roland. That's what we call bargaining in good faith!” says Feinwad.
“Every time I try to save some money it just seems to end up costing me more!” says a thoroughly disgusted Roland. “Do I have any recourse? When does it end?”
“If you will agree to the $1800 muffler job it will end right right now.” replies Feinwad.
“We're back to the Union parts store aren't we?” says Roland.
“Well, yes, it's a negotiated...”
“I know, I know!” screams Roland. “I mean, what if I think you are being unreasonable?”
“Well, I'm sorry you feel that way,” says Kohl. “It's really all about quality car care.”
“Seems to me it's all about your compensation.”
“Well, I never!” huffs Feinwad. “If you think we are being unreasonable, the government has put in place safeguards for all concerned. We had hoped to avoid it, but there is always binding arbitration.”
Without thinking, Roland says “I want it!”

Still with his bald tires, a dazed and confused Roland drives home to await a date with the State certified arbitrator.

TO BE CONTINUED