The destruction of collective bargaining for teachers would be the second worst thing that could happen to poor children. The worst would be the failure of President Obama to receive 270 electoral votes in 2012. The Administration opened up a Pandora's Box in Rhode Island when it chose data over due process, thus feeding the union-busting frenzy in Wisconsin and Ohio. Soon the mortal threat to unions will spread to Florida and perhaps other swing states. During Meet the Press' Sunday Roundtable, a big point was made about a 2007 campaign promise. If a state challenged collective bargaining rights, candidate Obama said he would put on his walking shoes and join the protests. The President is too busy to fulfill that pledge, but he should send Arne Duncan, who helped get him in this mess, to join the protests. - JT (@drjohnthompson) Image via.
If Obama were to lace up those walking shoes and make an appearance at a rally or protest, it would serve as a media-circus distraction to the very real issues--human rights and education issues--that the protests are highlighting.
What he should have done, more than a week ago, is make a strong public statement in support of the public servants in Wisconsin and other states, outlining the thoroughly political strategies (and billionaires) behind them. He could still do that--although such a statement would be less effective now, it would be a clear signal to HIS BASE that he's paying attention.
Sending Big Arn to walk the picket lines would be genius, but it would force a cabinet member to stand against his cherished principles: competition for federal funding, "merit" pay, expanding alternatives to public education and two-year Adventure Teaching programs.
Posted by: Nancy Flanagan | February 28, 2011 at 13:40 PM
If Obama were to lace up those walking shoes and make an appearance at a rally or protest, it would serve as a media-circus distraction to the very real issues--human rights and education issues--that the protests are highlighting.
What he should have done, more than a week ago, is make a strong public statement in support of the public servants in Wisconsin and other states, outlining the thoroughly political strategies (and billionaires) behind them. He could still do that--although such a statement would be less effective now, it would be a clear signal to HIS BASE that he's paying attention.
Sending Big Arn to walk the picket lines would be genius, but it would force a cabinet member to stand against his cherished principles: competition for federal funding, "merit" pay, expanding alternatives to public education and two-year Adventure Teaching programs.
Posted by: Nancy Flanagan | February 28, 2011 at 13:40 PM
I agree that President Obama should have spoken out in favor of teachers when this ordeal started. His failure to do so sends a message of ambivalence regarding the work of teachers and the welfare of the educational system.
Posted by: robin | February 28, 2011 at 17:15 PM
I agree with you, Robin. It is important for the president to make it clear that he supports the nation's teachers and cares about the children that will become the future of the country. It is sad that teachers are not respected more and that this is even an issue. The educational system should be nothing but supported in the fullest by everyone regardless of what side of any other issue you stand.
Posted by: New York Hebrew School | March 01, 2011 at 01:36 AM