It was with a great deal of sadness and disappointment that I read the article concerning the comments by Tony Bennett and Rick Muir and the subsequent attacks on the Anderson Federation of Teachers.
First, the teachers’ pay and benefits are not the drivers of the economic problems facing the Anderson school system. The failed economic policies of the Bush administration and the goal of destroying organized labor, no matter the cost, of both the Bush administration and Gov. Daniels have more to do with these economic woes than the teachers and their union. Mr. Daniels made it clear when he made it a priority to take away the bargaining rights of thousands of state workers that he was launching a full-out attack on unions. His defense of Toyota’s actions, while never opposing efforts to aid the domestic auto manufacturers, is a clear reflection of this anti-labor position. I am sure Mr. Bennett would not have his job if he did not spout this same anti-labor hate talk.
Why do people believe that teachers must “sacrifice” their quality of life to teach? These teachers have to complete a college education, much like Mr. Bennett. Why should his position pay so much more than the teachers he attacks? What does he contribute to the education of your child or your grandchild? Does it appear professional for him to attack teachers in the media? I doubt that will lead to any positive discussion, let alone a solution to these problems. It makes me wonder if he is looking for a solution, or is he in fact looking for a confrontation?
As an autoworker, now retired, I understand how it feels for individuals in government, who have no idea what it is like to live in a certain area or work at a certain job, to call you overpaid and lazy in the media. But I cannot understand why we, as working people no matter the work we do, attack one another. Can’t you see how this works? Yesterday it was autoworkers, today it is teachers, tomorrow it will be you. Anderson will never recover or find solutions to the school system’s problems by continuing to encourage this race to the bottom.
I would encourage Mr. Muir to ignore the comments of the Daniels’ administration. From experience I can say these attacks are made just to stop any real progress toward reaching solutions. These jabs at the teachers are another way to draw attention away from the policies that have created the funding shortfalls, and any response simply continues the rhetoric. And I would encourage the great citizens of Anderson to apply their intelligence and work ethic toward finding solutions, not attacking their neighbors.
James King
Canton, Mich.
Letters
Viewpoint: Official's attack on teachers unwarranted
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Letter: Union attitude must prevail for recovery
