Opinions

I know I would not be the person I am today without teachers.

My parents were teachers – special education teachers. Which meant a childhood spent in classrooms while my mother worked late to meet with parents or finish reports for the day. And conversations around the dinner table involved dad talking about the importance of studying history and mom sharing stories about her students’ achievements. Their work was a mission that continued long after the end of the school day.

My high school English teacher appointed me to my first leadership position and gave me the confidence to seek out ways that I could contribute to righting things that were wrong. And a junior high civics teacher inspired me study all sides of an issue and see political work as an avenue to improve peoples’ lives.

Teachers exist to help unlock the ability in each of us to live up to our full potential as citizens.

So what does it mean for the future of our state if politicians wage a war against this group of people who are charged with training and inspiring our youngest Michiganders?

Because in Lansing, at the same time many of us are sending our children off to school, some legislators are pushing bills that target the very teachers who are working to educate our next generation of citizens and voters.

Last week the House passed legislation to make it harder for teachers to work together, build a unified voice, and participate in the democratic process. The bill eliminates the ability for teachers to choose to contribute to their union electronically through their payroll. So that means that while a teacher can choose to have their home and auto insurance payments deducted from their paycheck, they would no longer have the freedom to support their union with the same ease. The effort is a clear attempt to make it more difficult for teachers to fight back against cuts to education and easier for their opponents to dominate the political process.

Simultaneously in the Senate, one leader – who says he recognizes the negative impact that “Right to Work for Less” laws have on the middle class and our economy – is targeting teachers with “Right to Teach for Less” laws that apply only to them. His proposal would all but eliminate the ability for educators to work collectively to protect their jobs and would all but guarantee a meritless reduction in their already minimal salaries.

These changes will not bring new jobs to Michigan.

They will not help us build an educated workforce prepared to successfully thrive in a new economy.

Instead these changes send a message.

It is a message that vilifies teachers who are working hard daily to educate our children, and says that their voices, as educators, don’t matter.

And it’s a message that runs counter to the reality that teachers seek to impart on their students – that in a democracy, their voices count.

These misguided efforts also fail to recognize another reality. Teachers, and the unions they support, are some of the most ardent supporters and advocates for educational reforms that will reduce costs and improve student achievement. In fact, the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association are championing changes across the country and are on the cutting edge of creating effective educational environments.

Effective and widespread education reform can only take place in this state if all sides work together towards the goal of improving our children’s chance for academic, and financial, success. Most teachers have dedicated their careers, and in many cases their lives, towards this very goal. Our state’s political leaders would be wise to include them in the work to improve education, instead of pushing efforts that will minimize or obliterate their seat at the table.

This posting was originally published in the Grand Rapids Press.

How the Recall is Going

by William Crandell

Since I joined the Recall campaigns in July I've been asked many times how things are coming along. Well, the fact is that we are still counting. Labor day weekend turned out to be huge for the Recall effort and thousands of signatures were collected. From the bridge walk to football games to President Obama's speech in Detroit it was one of the biggest turnouts since the campaigns had began. But I do know that prior to this past weekend the Recall Snyder effort was at the halfway mark of the 1.2 million that we wished to collect and we still have three weeks to go. The PA4 petition has already reached its required number of 161,000 and is well on its way to reaching the 250,000 signature goal. Many of the local efforts against representatives and senators were also given a healthy boost. But to me the numbers really do not matter that much.

For the past month and a half I have been setting up roadside signing locations. You might have seen me camped out with my faithful volunteers by Wal-Mart in Benton Harbor or in a vacant lot on 11th street in Niles. I would like to thank all of those that have stopped to sign my petitions. During these long windy weeks there is one thing that I have learned and that is that there are a lot of angry people out there seeking to find their voice, both Democrat and Republican. From Tea Partyer's who have realized that their taxes are about to be increased to the elderly having their children get them out bed and bring them down to sign because their pensions are being taxed. Many of them shake my hand and all of them thank me for taking the time to stand up for them.

I feel rewarded every time I collect a signature because I know that it is a potential vote against the oppressive GOP machine currently at work in Lansing. It is someone who is standing up for democracy and demanding to have a say in their government and how their daily life is going to be run. A potential vote to protect their schools and their right to collective bargain. A potential vote telling them that it is not fair to give tax breaks to the wealthy while increasing the financial burdens on the poor. And it is also a statement telling the Governor to leave the pensions that they have earned through a lifetime of hard work alone. Recall is another instrument of this great Democracy and demonstrates the ability of the American people to come together in tough times to do what is right and decent for their fellow man. I am proud of what I have witnessed and I am now a better person for the work that I have done. The America that I grew up believing in is still there and that fact was reaffirmed every time I gathered a signature, every time an elderly lady patted my hand and said: "God bless you son for doing this".

So to me it doesn't really matter if we win the Recalls because I believe that a new political movement has been born.. The people who have always felt that their vote did not count are gaining a new sense of empowerment. Realizing that with only a few minutes of their time they can make a difference. Even if we lose we are still sending a clear message to Lansing that the people of this state are not going to be ruled by greed. I hope the momentum that we have gained carries over until the 2012 elections. Deep down in my heart I already know that it will. Watch out Lansing the people are taking their state back.

Opinions
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Senator Levin's Newspaper Articles Senator Levin writes a newspaper article that is full of insight of a Washington insider, yet showing his compassion for the working men and women of Michigan and of Michigan families as they struggle in this economy. Well worth your time.	From the Chair Ramblings from Jess Notes and observations by the Chair of South County Democratic Club on some of the key issues facing Democrats today. Articles are newsworthy and relevant for all Democrats.	A Different Perspective Dr. Furst is a retired educator from Andrews University and a good Berrien County Democrat. He graciously allows SCDC to post his "A Different Perspective" series of personal observations and commentary on our web site. Always informative, his "Perspectives" are well worth your attention. His articles are published in the Berrien Springs Jour nal Era.

From the Michigan Democratic Party - Posted 10/4/11 The Reformer's Forum War on Teachers will Harm Education Reform I know I would not be the person I am today without teachers. My parents were teachers – special education teachers. Which meant a childhood spent in classrooms while my mother worked late to meet with parents or finish reports for the day. And conversations around the dinner table involved dad talking about the importance of studying history and mom sharing stories about her students’ achievements. Their work was a mission that continued long after the end of the school day. My high school English teacher appointed me to my first leadership position and gave me the confidence to seek out ways that I could contribute to righting things that were wrong. And a junior high civics teacher inspired me study all sides of an issue and see political work as an avenue to improve peoples’ lives. Teachers exist to help unlock the ability in each of us to live up to our full potential as citizens. So what does it mean for the future of our state if politicians wage a war against this group of people who are charged with training and inspiring our youngest Michiganders? Because in Lansing, at the same time many of us are sending our children off to school, some legislators are pushing bills that target the very teachers who are working to educate our next generation of citizens and voters. Last week the House passed legislation to make it harder for teachers to work together, build a unified voice, and participate in the democratic process. The bill eliminates the ability for teachers to choose to contribute to their union electronically through their payroll. So that means that while a teacher can choose to have their home and auto insurance payments deducted from their paycheck, they would no longer have the freedom to support their union with the same ease. The effort is a clear attempt to make it more difficult for teachers to fight back against cuts to education and easier for their opponents to dominate the political process. Simultaneously in the Senate, one leader – who says he recognizes the negative impact that “Right to Work for Less” laws have on the middle class and our economy – is targeting teachers with “Right to Teach for Less” laws that apply only to them. His proposal would all but eliminate the ability for educators to work collectively to protect their jobs and would all but guarantee a meritless reduction in their already minimal salaries. These changes will not bring new jobs to Michigan. They will not help us build an educated workforce prepared to successfully thrive in a new economy. Instead these changes send a message. It is a message that vilifies teachers who are working hard daily to educate our children, and says that their voices, as educators, don’t matter. And it’s a message that runs counter to the reality that teachers seek to impart on their students – that in a democracy, their voices count. These misguided efforts also fail to recognize another reality. Teachers, and the unions they support, are some of the most ardent supporters and advocates for educational reforms that will reduce costs and improve student achievement. In fact, the American Federation of Teachers and National Education Association are championing changes across the country and are on the cutting edge of creating effective educational environments. Effective and widespread education reform can only take place in this state if all sides work together towards the goal of improving our children’s chance for academic, and financial, success. Most teachers have dedicated their careers, and in many cases their lives, towards this very goal. Our state’s political leaders would be wise to include them in the work to improve education, instead of pushing efforts that will minimize or obliterate their seat at the table. This posting was originally published in the Grand Rapids Press.
Posted 9/14/11 How the Recall is Going by William Crandell Since I joined the Recall campaigns in July I've been asked many times how things are coming along. Well, the fact is that we are still counting. Labor day weekend turned out to be huge for the Recall effort and thousands of signatures were collected. From the bridge walk to football games to President Obama's speech in Detroit it was one of the biggest turnouts since the campaigns had began. But I do know that prior to this past weekend the Recall Snyder effort was at the halfway mark of the 1.2 million that we wished to collect and we still have three weeks to go. The PA4 petition has already reached its required number of 161,000 and is well on its way to reaching the 250,000 signature goal. Many of the local efforts against representatives and senators were also given a healthy boost. But to me the numbers really do not matter that much. For the past month and a half I have been setting up roadside signing locations. You might have seen me camped out with my faithful volunteers by Wal-Mart in Benton Harbor or in a vacant lot on 11th street in Niles. I would like to thank all of those that have stopped to sign my petitions. During these long windy weeks there is one thing that I have learned and that is that there are a lot of angry people out there seeking to find their voice, both Democrat and Republican. From Tea Partyer's who have realized that their taxes are about to be increased to the elderly having their children get them out bed and bring them down to sign because their pensions are being taxed. Many of them shake my hand and all of them thank me for taking the time to stand up for them. I feel rewarded every time I collect a signature because I know that it is a potential vote against the oppressive GOP machine currently at work in Lansing. It is someone who is standing up for democracy and demanding to have a say in their government and how their daily life is going to be run. A potential vote to protect their schools and their right to collective bargain. A potential vote telling them that it is not fair to give tax breaks to the wealthy while increasing the financial burdens on the poor. And it is also a statement telling the Governor to leave the pensions that they have earned through a lifetime of hard work alone. Recall is another instrument of this great Democracy and demonstrates the ability of the American people to come together in tough times to do what is right and decent for their fellow man. I am proud of what I have witnessed and I am now a better person for the work that I have done. The America that I grew up believing in is still there and that fact was reaffirmed every time I gathered a signature, every time an elderly lady patted my hand and said: "God bless you son for doing this". So to me it doesn't really matter if we win the Recalls because I believe that a new political movement has been born.. The people who have always felt that their vote did not count are gaining a new sense of empowerment. Realizing that with only a few minutes of their time they can make a difference. Even if we lose we are still sending a clear message to Lansing that the people of this state are not going to be ruled by greed. I hope the momentum that we have gained carries over until the 2012 elections. Deep down in my heart I already know that it will. Watch out Lansing the people are taking their state back.

Reoccuring Opinion Articles

Newer Articles Posted Below

Senator Levin's Newspaper Articles

From the Chair

A Different Perspective

War on Teachers will Harm Education Reform

Posted 9/14/11

How the Recall is Going