Police Union Rejects Bush, Backs Kerry

[??????????]

In Texas, we are also a right to work state.  Teachers however do not vote that Democratic in my state.  I am in the Texas State Teacher's Organization and the leadership is always supporting Dems.  Even in this organization approximately 40% vote Republican.  Most teachers in the state do not belong to TSTA and I'd wager at least half vote Republican.

Our organization is affiliated with NEA.  About 25 years ago TSTA voted by a slim majority to become affiliated with NEA (I forget how many votes it took for the TSTA leaders to ram this down our throat).

In order to join TSTA we now have to be a member of NEA.  They no longer allow you to join TSTA without paying dues to NEA.  It makes me vomit, but TSTA is a very worthwhile professional organization and I bite the bullit every year and pay the NEA dues.  I detest their philosophy and most of my colleagues in my school do as well.

The average teacher salary in the USA is about 46 000$.  I think it's a little better than in Finland, but it's not easy to compare. Do you consider it as good salary? I'm interested because I'm studing for history teacher's degree.

My source:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2003-07-01-teacher-usat_x.htm

I do not know of any teacher in my region making that much money. It's more like 25k - 35k at the most.

[English]

Teachers in the UK start on about £20k, Is that about $27k?!

[CARLHAYDEN]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040514/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_36

Keep in mind, these guys back Bush in 2000.

Get serious.

The IBPO has a whoping twelve thousand members, the FOP has 310,00.

[??????????]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040514/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_36

Keep in mind, these guys back Bush in 2000.

Get serious.

The IBPO has a whoping twelve thousand members, the FOP has 310,00.

Carl, Hey Bud go over the the Mock election in the 2004 section of the site and vote !!! This is not the fantasy this is right below Polls a new section Dave just started! Its not on the forum...under your user predictions! Thanks..

[TeePee4Prez]

no, i would refuse to join a union.

my mother was in a union for years.  ive been to plenty of union meetings.  i know what a freakin joke they are.

it's a money making racket that creates an 'us vs. them' atmosphere.  

i dont need someone telling me what's best for me and how bad management is.  i dont need them to tell me where to do my shopping and to not drink beer that isnt from a unionized distributer.  and i certainly dont need them to take money out of my paycheck and tell me who to vote for.

i have a mind of my own.

You don't HAVE to do anything they say.  Unions protect workers from bosses and upper executives that really don't care about the workers at all, just what $$$ they can get out of them.  I don't ell me there's not a few corrupt executives in this country.  Unions are a good thing.  My mom's in the postal worker's union, and she'd be worked like a dog for minimum wage if there weren't unions.  

The are some unions that are corrupt, but most protect the workers.  Many also fight on Capitol Hill to uphold the "laws on the books".  Why do you think OSHA's there??? The goodness of Herbert Hoover's heart?  Heck no!  Unions are not outdated and I wish there were more of them.  They are a necessary tool in counterbalacning management.

[MAS117]

The IAFF (Firefighters) backed Kerry in the beginning of the primary season. It was a real help to him early on.