rdubnpk I started this thread but have been flitting around looking for booby shots. I see the consensus of opinion is that a) Obama doesn't have a clue b) Rob makes the major sacrifice of cancelling the pool boy when times get tight c) T looks great in half a patriotic bikini (and would look even better if she lost the other half) d) the major problem with the country is that it is run by politicians with no constraints or restraint. Does that pretty much sum it up???
rdubnpk Let's consider this scenario. The rich and super-rich have purchased the Republican party through campaign donations (actually, both parties) and the Repubs have agreed to run a propaganda campaign as pay back defending the non-taxation of the rich and super-rich. This campaign consists of justifying the non-taxation in the media and through right wing talk shows to convince Average Joe that the non-taxation is justifiable, is in the best interest of Average Joe, and that it would be downright unAmerican for these folks to pay any more taxes. It is a stroke of genuis because Average Joe then takes up the banner FOR the rich and super-rich......
Consider this scenario: Substitute the Rich, Super-Rich for the UAW, AFL-CIO, AFSCME, SEUI and various other Teachers Unions, Public Employee and Private Unions that take their member's dues to unilaterally donate and fund Democrats and their campaigns. Democrats have agreed to run a propaganda campaign as pay back defending Unions on gold-plated Healthcare and pension benefits, higher than private sector average wages, and maintain restrictive work rules. This campaign consists of justifying a labor monopoly for public employees and bleeding tax payers dry via bussing thousands of out-of state protesters to take over & occupy various State Capital buildings. Meanwhile the Average Joe with a job in the private sector is working longer hours, has had to take pay cuts and reduced benefits, relies on retirement from a 401k fund and now forgoes all vacations. Democrats believe it would be downright Un-American for Union members to take a cut in wages, reduce rich healthcare or retirement benefits, or more importantly give up the right of collective bargaining on the public dime. It is a liberal stroke of genius because Average Joe then left with the possibility of increased taxes, taxpayer extortion and wealth redistribution.
rdubnpk Lady I work with has a daughter that teaches math in high school and coaches the JV basketball team. Their medical has such large gaps that any major surgery or hospitalization would be catastrophic. They paint, decorate the rooms at the start of each year out of their own pockets. Many supplies are also out of pocket. She is, after three years, just now feeling comfortable of having enough money to move out of her Grandparent's house.
The Teachers in your area must have all moved here to Michigan. The Salary History of a Michigan Public School Teacher [Michigan Capitol Confidential] "A Saline Public Schools teacher that was hired in 2009 would start with a salary of $40,425 and see it rise to $111,750 in the 15th year, an increase of 178 percent. The analysis of the hypothetical Saline teacher's career salary track was done by Michael Van Beek, director of education policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. The analysis was done as if the teacher's salary increases were based on the conditions of the existing 2009-10 teachers contract. It assumes that the hypothetical teacher earned a graduate degree in the eighth year of the contract. About 59 percent of teachers have a graduate degree, according to 2008 data from the Michigan Department of Education It also assumes that the hypothetical teacher didn't get any of the bonuses offered for extracurricular or special teaching activities. And the salary analysis does not include a salary longevity bonus at the end of the 15th year, worth an additional $2,579. Van Beek wrote in an e-mail that most school districts have very similar contracts, with automatic "step" increases on top of across-the-board increases. "This is a typical method for compensating teachers," Van Beek said. "The percentages will change, the step increases will change, but the way it accumulates is the same for most every school district in the country." According to the contract, the hypothetical teacher received an 8 percent increase in years two and three, a 9 percent raise in year four, and 11 percent raises in years five through seven. After earning a graduate degree, the hypothetical teacher got a 27 percent raise in the eighth year and then got a 10 percent raise the following year. In years 10 through 15, the percentage raises were 4 percent, 2 percent, 2 percent, 3 percent, 2 percent and 2 percent. "This is what our school boards are agreeing to. It is no wonder it continues to cost more to keep school employees working," Van Beek wrote in an e-mail. According to Annarbor.com, the Saline school district is anticipating a $5.4 million shortfall from a $52.4 million budget. "People in the private sector cannot afford to pay for a teacher who is going to get 8 to 10 to 27 percent increases," said Charlie Owens, state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. "It's not sustainable given our current economic situation. At some point, this is going to have to be addressed. And none of this related to performance." Saline Superintendent Scot Graden didn't return an e-mail seeking comment. Saline Spokesman Steve Laatsch refused to comment. Tim Heim, the Saline teachers union president, didn't return phone messages." Average Teacher Salaries Continue to Rise Michigan Average Teacher Salaries Continue to Rise [Michigan Capitol Confidential] "Teacher pay is determined by a single salary schedule that has built-in automatic pay raises, based solely on longevity and the types of college degrees obtained. On top of this, districts make all their staffing decisions based on seniority, meaning that the highest paid teachers will always be the last ones let go if districts must downsize their staff due to declining enrollments or rising labor costs. Since these factors contributing to a rising average salary do not have any significant impact on improving teacher effectiveness, we shouldn't expect student achievement to rise alongside the average teacher salary. A growing average salary is merely evidence that the automatic pay raises teachers receive are outpacing the downward pressure from hiring new teachers to replace retirees and using more charter school teachers." Paid to Leave: Generous Teacher Buyouts at East Lansing Public Schools "East Lansing gives its top three teachers in seniority up to 50 percent of their salary when they retire, according to the teacher’s union contract. Teachers with 15 years or more get 30 percent of their annual salary; those with 20 years get 40 percent; and those with 25 years get 50 percent. “If the goal is to save money by incentivizing teachers to retire, the incentive for teachers is to hang around until you are the top three,” Van Beek said. “Can you hang around for $35,000, $40,000? Buy a boat when you retire? Yeah.”
There are many people that would LOVE to feel 'comfortable' after just 3 years on the job. I also coach & have many friends that teach so I know first hand how hard they work, what they pay for & how much they make. One of my best friends teaches PE. He is 38 yrs old & makes $85,000. I know there are teachers such as your co-workers daughter that put in the time & effort to their profession. We also have a daughter that teaches & are reminded of this constantly. I'm just saying for the number of days and the number of hours in a day that they work, it's not a bad gig. :huh:
rdubnpk I guess my point is that, with few exceptions, teachers ain't getting rich at their profession yet they seem to be the main focus of federal, state, and local budget cutting. It just seems that, taken in total, budget cutting is ALWAYS aimed at those who can least afford it, those with the least political clout, those who, therefore, are the least able to fight back. Good, bad or indifferent, that is ALWAYS the case.
