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Post by Josh on Sept 25, 2011 14:23:51 GMT -8
Ben brought this topic up to me today:
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ben
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Post by ben on Sept 26, 2011 14:27:51 GMT -8
My question was not do you support Public Education but do you support the Department of Education? Some politicians especially on the right say that this bureaucracy should be gotten rid of and sent it back to the state governments. Being that America is broke, I believe this might be a great idea.
The Department of Education was initiated in 1980 by the Carter administration so it is a relatively new function. I am an independent as far as political ideology so I am not calling it as a partisan. Being that we could use the money why not cut this department?
I am also bothered by the way public sector unions are funded. As an example, $700,000 of our tax money (stimulus) went to the state of Wisconsin. This money was used to fund teacher and other public sector jobs. This seems like a worthy cause because some of these workers may have been laid off. But when you think about it, the money (tax) was used to pay union dues who in turn support partisan politics. I think they call it "money laundering".
Federal sector unions do not have collective bargaining rights because this would bankrupt the nation with pension and other problems. On second thought America is already bankrupt. States are now feeling the pinch and changes have to be made but no one wants to give up on their goodies.
I am a product of the public sector union having retired from the State of Hawaii. I would hate to give up some of my goodies and I have talked to many of my retired friends who feel the same. Some of them are adamant and have protested the State Governor who is trying to make changes. Yet I do believe that the money is not there and I have to give up my entitlement mentality.
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Post by Josh on Sept 28, 2011 19:12:07 GMT -8
Unfortunately (especially as a teacher) I'm a bit ignorant on this topic.
Are you sure tax dollars are going to my union? Because I have to pay my own dues.
As far as the Department of Education, one could probably argue that it's good for the poorer states who have funding problems as it is. Also, it probably helps meet the needs of special ed students with disabilities better.
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ben
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Post by ben on Sept 28, 2011 19:28:33 GMT -8
If the federal government sent stimulus tax money to Oregon and Oregon used it to pay for public sector workers, that tax money is used to pay union dues. Public sector union workers are paid by public taxes. I think that's what separates them from private unions.
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Post by robin on Sept 29, 2011 9:14:51 GMT -8
Here are my three reasons for abolishing the department of education.
1. It's unconstitutional. I don't see where any of the enumerated powers given to the federal government allows for federal control of education.
2. It's a massive abuse of the tax payer. in 1980 the department of education operates on a budget of 13 Billion dollars. The 2011 budget is 77.8 billion dollars.
3. It's inefficient. Study after study shows that increasing spending on education does NOT improve test scores in the classroom.
Ben's correct. The Department of education was established as a payoff to the teachers unions by Jimmy Carter. This is whats wrong with our government. At a time when our country is nearly bankrupt, our government continues to spend billions on ineffective and unconstitutional programs that do nothing to improve our society. And why? because by funneling the money through the teacher unions, the politicians (Democrats in this case) get political support and campaign contributions from the teachers in return. The politicians are buying political support with our tax dollars. This is an outrage. This happens on both sides of the isle. Educations needs to be left to the local governments and those in the communities who understand what is needed in the local schools.
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ben
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Post by ben on Sept 29, 2011 16:05:12 GMT -8
Hey Robin, why can't explain things the way you do?
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shirley
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Post by shirley on Mar 14, 2012 21:08:36 GMT -8
A few years ago my local union, Oregon School Employees Union, joined up as a chapter of a large national union, AFT. Every election I receive political crap in the mail telling me what measures my union supports and which politicians my union supports. It upsets me that my union dues, which I am required to pay, are going to support politics.
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Post by stoneeyes on Mar 15, 2012 9:06:45 GMT -8
Me too!
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Post by christopher on Mar 15, 2012 17:52:32 GMT -8
You can get that portion of your dues back...it's the law. Although your union won't be forthcoming with that and they'll try to convince you that they are party "neutral" and they will make you jump through as many hoops as they legally can to get that portion back. In the end, you'll get a check for about 50-60 bucks (as if that's all they spent of your dues ). I used to do this every year simply for the principle of it, but then I got lazy and just gave up.
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shirley
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Post by shirley on Mar 17, 2012 5:51:26 GMT -8
Chris, There is absolutely nothing neutral about the political agenda of my union, I do not see how they could even argue that. Neither do I believe that my union represents me at the workplace, but I have experienced first hand, and more recently with a friend, what it is like to have the union against you. I'm not sure demanding back my union dues would be a good idea, but out of curiosity, what is the principal or right that allows you to do this? I pay about $35 a month in dues.
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Post by christopher on Mar 17, 2012 8:09:55 GMT -8
I don't know all the details, but I think it's called "Beck rights" based upon a supreme court case in the 80s that ruled against what is considered coercive political practices by unions. I'm sure Google will be glad to help you in your research
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