On behalf of the Old Rochester Professional Educators Association, I would like to support our colleagues in the New Bedford public schools. Our members have many friends and relatives who have attended or work in the New Bedford public schools and we have the greatest admiration for the hard work put forward by NBEA members. I plan on attending the upcoming rally and will encourage our members to attend as well.
In solidarity,
Colin Everett
President ORPEA
3 comments:
Old Rochester Professional Educators Association, thank you very much for your support!
One of the lessons I've attempted to stress to my children is that people make decisions far more often on how they feel rather than what they think. That's why television commercials and political speeches often make you feel good but make absolutely no sense when you bother to think about them. In fact, getting the facts before making a major decision is almost frowned upon in popular culture. After all, success belongs to those who boldly take risks, not to wimpy little nerds who wait for the facts.
The elephant was recently discussing the Affordable Health Care Act with an acquaintance whom I had previously thought of as reasonably intelligent and knowledgeable. I still think of her as reasonably intelligent and knowledgeable, but she fell for the same confidence trick that millions of other Americans fell for. She allowed Obamacare's proponents to blur the line between health care and health insurance to the point where she simply stopped thinking.
Health care and health insurance are not like apples and oranges. They're more like motor oil and chess boards. Both institutions are part of our economy, but that's where the similarity ends.
My acquaintance was hung up on that warm, fuzzy feeling that if everyone has a piece of paper claiming they were covered, then they would have access to the healthcare that their doctor said they needed.
"We're sorry, but we require 24 hours notice before being involved in a traffic accident."
I know...stop laughing now.
I finally got her to think when I asked the following question:
"How many doctors, nurses, and x-ray technicians will Obamacare produce?" I could hear the wheels of thought beginning to turn so I continued. "Will medically trained personnel double their work hours or will all of the extra people who have a piece of paper from the insurance company form long lines?"
And then the coup de grace...
"When lines start forming at the door, won't everyone raise their rates or simply provide their wealthiest customers with a key to the back door?"
Here's today's question for Pia Durkin, her peanut gallery of supporters, and all those who's teaching jobs are at risk:
Will your 22-year-old replacements teach any kind of critical thinking skills to their students or will they be scratching a line on the wall with a rusty nail for each day that brings them closer to having their student loans forgiven?
The elephant counsels staying out of the hot sun while thinking about this one. You'll only overheat.
I would like to thank my colleagues of Old Rochester for their support. As a parent of two graduates and one junior at the high school I know the dedication, hard work, and knowledge that you share on a daily basis with your students. Like you the New Bedford educators are dedicated, caring, and hard working. We as educators continue to have a target on our backs for the world to insult, punish, and use as scapegoats. Now is the time where we must all unite for our students as they are the ones that will ultimately pay the price. When we support teachers we support students. Thanks again for your support as we stand together next week.
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