One teacher spoke out, “The teachers’ union repeatedly tells its members and potential members, especially when recruiting, that “none of your dues money will be spent on politics.” When you press them on it they always fall back on the old ‘candidate contribution’ dodge. As a result most members here have no inkling of the many ways their dues money is used to wage political battles.”

Everything in life must evolve to remain effective and successful and this is no different for our Education System. Now as California teachers face massive layoffs it seems to me that the California Teachers Association (CTA) has bitten the hand that feeds it. It would be different if they were spending 100’s of millions of dollars to enhance the Education System. Instead they spend to defeat change and silence innovative leadership, prohibiting creative ideas that will educate our children. This short sightedness just might be one of the most significant factors that has lead to the potential collapse of our Education System; and hence massive teacher layoffs.

When will the great teachers and taxpayers of California demand that their money be used to create a better System for students and educators? Evolution is inevitable and most likely the quickest way teachers will be able to keep their jobs. Let’s use the $50 billion education budget to educate the kids, reform the System, pay our teachers and make our classrooms the best in the world. The re-evolution starts with us the taxpayers, parents and educators…don’t let short sightedness destroy our future.

To learn more information on where the $212 million has gone to defeat ballot measures, please visit “Get the Facts,” for a thorough account of where CTA is placing funding.

SOURCES:

Mass Teacher Layoffs Loom Again For California Schools
http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/site/?q=node/7484

The California Teacher's Assoc. and the $212 million spent in special interest campaigns:
http://www.eiaonline.com/intercepts/2010/03/11/the-california-teachers-association-spent-almost-212-million-on-politics-in-the-2000s/