The joy of politics
In the past, I've been pretty uncaring about politics. I've said here before that I lean conservative, but I haven't always paid a great deal of attention to what's going on in government (yes, shame on me), and while certain things upset me, nothing really gets me riled up. But with all of the mofo-ery going on in the state government right now, I am just unbelievably angry. Both with the actions of our governor, and also for all of the ignorant people cheering for him. They just...they don't even know. And I am so pissed.
I'm pissed at the people who think this is just a bunch of teachers whining that they have to pay more for benefits. Sure, no one would be happy about having to essentially take a pay cut, and my husband and other teachers I know did grumble about it. But that was a perfectly reasonable reaction, and everyone I've talked to is over it. They realize it has to be done because of the budget crisis the state is facing. But it's the fact that they and other state workers will be losing collective bargaining rights that is the real issue, and these stupid people don't seem to get that. They don't get that this isn't just going to affect teachers and their families, but that this will affect labor across the state. But no, apparently Walker is a hero for taking on the "big bad" teacher's union. Ugh.
I'm pissed that even though thousands upon thousands of people are protesting in Madison, doing everything they can to get their voices heard, Gov. Walker has stated that he will not budge on this issue, and that he believes he has the votes he'll need to get this passed. I didn't even realize that a governor could take away the rights of unions, and I can't believe he and other legislators think this is a good plan. I guess my only consolidation to this is that if this all goes through, a lot of people will be voted out of office come next election, once people realize what a colossal mistake this was.
But speaking of the protests, I'm also really angry at the people condemning Madison teachers who took a sick day to be there today (enough teachers called in that they had to close the schools in that district). Who cares if they called in sick when they weren't actually ill? (And, btw, teachers do get personal days, and many used that up today for this) This is what education is all about: standing up for what you believe in, and providing an example for your students. I'm really proud of all the teachers who were at various demonstrations across the state. Andy told me that many students at his school have been asking about the issues, and I think it's great that this is getting high school kids (and possibly younger) to take an interest in their government. How is that not a valuable experience?
It also flabbergasts me that there are people who don't care about this at all. I was talking to a friend of mine at school today who is an education major, plans to graduate in a year, and whose husband is also working towards becoming a teacher. I asked her what she thought of everything going on, and she said something to the effect of, "Well, there's not a lot I can do about it, and it'll be a year before I start looking for a job, so it doesn't really make much of a difference to me." I just...I didn't know how to respond to that. I mean, I know I've had that attitude myself on issues in the past, but to not even be paying much attention to something that could affect the future of your chosen career?! Wow.
I know that for most people who read this, I'm probably just preaching to the choir. But I needed to get this out. I'm so sick of seeing the triumphant statuses on Facebook from die-hard Republican friends who really have no idea what they're talking about. I'm sick of getting depressed by reading the comments on news stories about this, because people don't see that this is a poor, short-term solution that will have nasty consequences. So I've taken the time to vent some of my frustrations. I suppose now we'll just have to see how this unfolds.
I'm pissed at the people who think this is just a bunch of teachers whining that they have to pay more for benefits. Sure, no one would be happy about having to essentially take a pay cut, and my husband and other teachers I know did grumble about it. But that was a perfectly reasonable reaction, and everyone I've talked to is over it. They realize it has to be done because of the budget crisis the state is facing. But it's the fact that they and other state workers will be losing collective bargaining rights that is the real issue, and these stupid people don't seem to get that. They don't get that this isn't just going to affect teachers and their families, but that this will affect labor across the state. But no, apparently Walker is a hero for taking on the "big bad" teacher's union. Ugh.
I'm pissed that even though thousands upon thousands of people are protesting in Madison, doing everything they can to get their voices heard, Gov. Walker has stated that he will not budge on this issue, and that he believes he has the votes he'll need to get this passed. I didn't even realize that a governor could take away the rights of unions, and I can't believe he and other legislators think this is a good plan. I guess my only consolidation to this is that if this all goes through, a lot of people will be voted out of office come next election, once people realize what a colossal mistake this was.
But speaking of the protests, I'm also really angry at the people condemning Madison teachers who took a sick day to be there today (enough teachers called in that they had to close the schools in that district). Who cares if they called in sick when they weren't actually ill? (And, btw, teachers do get personal days, and many used that up today for this) This is what education is all about: standing up for what you believe in, and providing an example for your students. I'm really proud of all the teachers who were at various demonstrations across the state. Andy told me that many students at his school have been asking about the issues, and I think it's great that this is getting high school kids (and possibly younger) to take an interest in their government. How is that not a valuable experience?
It also flabbergasts me that there are people who don't care about this at all. I was talking to a friend of mine at school today who is an education major, plans to graduate in a year, and whose husband is also working towards becoming a teacher. I asked her what she thought of everything going on, and she said something to the effect of, "Well, there's not a lot I can do about it, and it'll be a year before I start looking for a job, so it doesn't really make much of a difference to me." I just...I didn't know how to respond to that. I mean, I know I've had that attitude myself on issues in the past, but to not even be paying much attention to something that could affect the future of your chosen career?! Wow.
I know that for most people who read this, I'm probably just preaching to the choir. But I needed to get this out. I'm so sick of seeing the triumphant statuses on Facebook from die-hard Republican friends who really have no idea what they're talking about. I'm sick of getting depressed by reading the comments on news stories about this, because people don't see that this is a poor, short-term solution that will have nasty consequences. So I've taken the time to vent some of my frustrations. I suppose now we'll just have to see how this unfolds.