My wordy thoughts on this whole Wisconsin Anti-Union Bill thing.

Take a bathroom break, get a glass of water, and possibly a meal before you start reading.

First and foremost, I hate politics. I just want everyone to get along. While that is not realistic, it's how I am. And politics is the epitome of not getting along. Two sides that were created to disagree with each other. Happy mediums made.

As you are probably aware to some extent, Scott Walker, the Governor of Wisconsin, wants to pass a bill that would help the state get out of its $3.6 billion debt. The bill includes making public employees (teachers, highway workers, correctional officers, UW system employees, etc.) pay 5% of their income toward retirement (as opposed to their employer paying all of it) and pay 12% towards their health insurance. These figures are in-line with other jobs. The bill also would do away with collective bargaining (unions). It's a big deal when you're in the midst. If passed, the bill will take effect on April 1st. The bill was supposed to be voted on today, but none of the Democrats showed up to vote. They're hiding somewhere. At school I'm bombarded with varying degrees of liberalness (I probably made that word up), and at home I get one degree of very-conservativeness. So here I am in the middle with arms being pulled in two separate directions. Join my co-workers in protest (especially over the loss of collective bargaining) or listen to my husband's "there's nothing you can do about it/it won't be as bad as you're hearing/etc." ???

Here are my random thoughts. You are entitled to your own thoughts and I'll still love you just the same.

1. Teachers have a sense of entitlement. I can't speak for every school district or employee. But...personally, in my school district, I get paid pretty well for only working 10 months out of the year (because honestly, I'm 95% checked out of work at the end of June, all of July, and the first half of August). We get a raise every year, guaranteed. Plus the school district puts in money for our retirement and we have good health insurance. These benefits are privileges, not rights. I went into teaching because of the JOB (and, I admit, the summers off. I'm not one that likes to be cooped up inside when it's nice outside), not because of the benefits. It just so happens the benefits that go along with the job are pretty darn good.

2. It wouldn't suck so bad if we didn't have all this debt! The money that will be "taken out" of my check will still be going towards stuff for ME. It's not like it won't be mine anymore. And Kevin says school districts may even allow you to keep the 5% in your check as opposed to putting it towards retirement.

3. Many districts have held "sick-outs" in which enough teachers call in sick that there aren't enough substitutes to cover and school is canceled. Our union encouraged us ("without encouraging us") to call in sick tomorrow. I will not call in sick, therefore, unless it's canceled, I will be at school. It's not the kids' fault that adults can't come to an agreement. They don't understand nor do they care. They just want to go to school and learn and be with their friends.

4. All week long we were told to wear red to show that we wanted to "stop" the bill. I wore red on Monday because it was Valentine's Day and made it a point to wear any color besides red the rest of the days.

5. All week long I heard talk of the bill and was told "You have to do this!" "You have to email your senator/representative!" (I did email my representative in support of his decision and got a great response back from him!) "Go to Madison!" "Go to the rally!" "Why aren't you going to the rally?" (Uh...because I have a husband and a little boy at home who I'd rather spend time with, thankyouverymuch) "Wear this sticker that says NO! on it" (I threw it away). One of my co-workers was told to forward some political email to her husband. She didn't want to, but my co-worker friend who is all involved in this practically MADE her do it, and WATCHED her until she pushed send. This co-worker and I just found out today that we're in the same boat politically. And if we were to stand up and say something that was against what the majority of the people at school would say, we'd be practically burned at the stake. At the very least, people would talk behind our backs as if we had 2 heads. I know this because another co-worker who fought in Iraq made it known that he supports the bill and now people are talking.

6. When the bill passes, unions can re-form under their own terms. A school district needs 97% involvement from their teachers in order to form a union. 3% of our staff population is about 4-5 people. If I decide not to join, people will know, and if I'm one of 4, people will be MAD. Do you know how much money I put towards the union that could be paying off our debt? Too much.

7. Something's gotta give. If Walker didn't choose this bill, he'd have to cut 6,000 jobs. I'd rather have to pay for some of my own retirement and health insurance than not have a job at all.

8. We get so angry about paying welfare. Well...isn't the health insurance/retirement benefits we get kind of like welfare? The taxpayers are paying for it.

9. For people who work in such selfless jobs, some are just being plain old selfish.

10. I just want to teach instead of dealing with all of this crap. I felt sick to my stomach all day being around it. Or maybe it was because I've been eating a whole lot of Valentine candy and a cupcake.

All of these thoughts being said, I'm still scared poopless about what the future holds.
My #1 fear is being in debt FOREVER when we were just getting rolling.
My #2 fear is not being able to afford FB2 (future baby #2).
My #3 fears are job-related: prep time, maternity leave, work hours, what will happen to my banked sick and personal days etc. etc.
My #4 fear is what if working conditions suck donkey and I hate teaching in general? Then what will I do to earn money? Although, I never pictured myself retiring as a teacher, so...

I also know that things always have a way of working out, and somehow we'll make it through. Sometimes HUGE change creates the BEST surprises. I stole this from Leah...(credit) with the utmost amount of hope and trust and optimism.
Brownie sundae if you made it this far. Thanks for listening. Come again!