Unions put teachers on streets — for votes

politico.com ^ | 7/24/14 | Stephanie Simon

[cotton1706]

Teachers unions are struggling to protect their political clout, but as the midterm elections approach, they’re fighting back with their most popular asset: the teachers themselves.

Backed by tens of millions in cash and new data mining tools that let them personalize pitches to voters, the unions are sending armies of educators to run a huge get-out-the-vote effort aimed at reversing the red tide that swept Republicans into power across the country in 2010.

The unions have plenty of money: They spent $69 million on state races in 2010 and are likely to top that this year. But as they gear up for the most intense and focused mobilization efforts they have ever attempted, they believe it’s their members who will give them an edge. Americans may be frustrated with public schools and wary of unions, but polls still show respect and admiration for teachers.

“If someone knocks on your door and says, ‘I’m Mark, I’m from the state Democratic Party,’ you take the literature and shut the door,” said Karen White, political director for the National Education Association. “If you say, ‘Hi, I’m Karen, I’m a third-grade teacher at Hillsmere Elementary and I’m here to tell you what’s at stake for public education,’ that gets a very different reaction from the voter.”

Or at least, so union leaders hope.

[cotton1706]

The 700 legislative seats, the 19 legislative chambers and the 10 governorships the republicans gained in 2010 has severely thwarted the union agenda, especially in Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.

Time will tell in November!

[cotton1706]

From the article:

Walker stripped public-sector workers of most collective-bargaining rights (and then beat back a ferocious effort by organized labor to recall him). Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback cut job protections for teachers. Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has been locked in a years-long battle with unions over school funding.

And in Maine, Gov. Paul LePage famously advised his constituents: “If you want a good education, go to private schools.”

The enmity many teachers feel toward these governors goes far beyond partisan politics: It’s personal. There was even a booth at the NEA convention in Denver this month that gave teachers a chance to throw darts at the Republican governor of their choice.

“We’ve got to play real hardball in these midterm elections,” said Antonio White, a business teacher in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

He bounced on his toes, fairly crackling with energy in his eagerness to take on Gov. Scott. “Without a doubt, we’ve got to be Scott-free,” White said. “We’ve got to gain back power.”

[cripplecreek]

The bloodbath begins in August when the union opt out date for teachers arrives.

[Steamburg]

Teachers are tools in more ways than one. No recent dictatorship has come to power without having teachers in the vanguard of agitation. However, teachers seem to never read the second chapter about what happens when the power shifts hands. The first executed and reeducated are the teachers.
Just saying.

[Salvation]

Don’t vote for the NEA supported (teacher supported) candidates. They are dimocrats or RINOs.

[Jim from C-Town]

‘Hi, I’m Karen, I’m a third-grade teacher at Hillsmere Elementary and I’m here to tell you what’s at stake for public education,’

High, you have such a crappy outcome, I pay thousands of dollars a year to NOT send my children to the liberal echo chamber called American Public Schools. I prefer that they learn about math, science, Phonics and true morality instead of homosexual sodomy and inclusiveness from people who attack others with different opinions.

True conversation. Also made the ‘public School teacher’ admit that she lived in an exurb 30 miles from the city.

[ExTxMarine]

“If someone knocks on your door and says, ‘I’m Mark, I’m from the state Democratic Party,’ you take the literature and shut the door,” said Karen White, political director for the National Education Association. “If you say, ‘Hi, I’m Karen, I’m a third-grade teacher at Hillsmere Elementary and I’m here to tell you what’s at stake for public education,’ that gets a very different reaction from the voter.”

Not from THIS voter. I would simply say, "Oh, so you are Democrat. Good bye!"

[Daveinyork]

Must be nice having the summer off to do this.

[eyeamok]

Funny how the liberal marxists don’t complain about Union Money in Politics?? Last time I checked Unions are CORPORATIONS

[Buckeye McFrog]

Union teachers are being laid-off here in Pittsburgh. Hard to believe that will make them very enthusiastic to go around knocking on doors.

[imardmd1]

"Unions put teachers on streets — for votes "

Hope it puts them on the streets -- for good.

[Eska]

Here in Alaska, the NEA would get laughed at by it's own teachers if asked to knock on doors. Vast majority of teachers don't even think about politics, minority are very active which gives them all a bad name.

Actually, teachers need the NEA for legal representation to protect them from all the politics found in our education system, no joke. I have seen it first hand with my own wife who has taught her entire life and also been a Republican the entire time too. Just the reality of being a teacher in today's world.

[cripplecreek]

PDF of Terry Bowman testifying against his own union’s (UAW) political fundraising. He’s running for the Dingell seat as a republican.

http://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/2-8-12_Full_Bowman.pdf

[cripplecreek]

The union is suing many of its own members here in Michigan because better than 10,000 them have simply stopped paying dues.

[familyop]

"The unions have plenty of money: They spent $69 million on state races in 2010 and are likely to top that this year."

Outlaw campaign funding from unions and global corporations. No big socialism, no big pork, no more anti-competition regulations.

[familyop]

Make that any political funding including lobbies.