Petty in Wisconsin

I am going to say something controversial here.

The fact that I don't rail on and on about political matters very often in this forum is a testimony to my restraint.  Tonight I will loosen a little so reader beware.

I believe that there are some very good teachers in our nation - I am even related to some of them.  I believe that teaching is actually a calling. That people are gifted with abilities or compassion that allows them to instruct others.

I also believe that in many of our public school systems, the once honorable profession of teaching has been sold into servitude and is in real danger of losing any semblence of dignity and honor.

Take for example, the teachers in Wisconsin: 

Doesn't it seem awfully small of teachers to call in "sick", in order to sabatoge the school system because they are not getting their way?

Isn't it very shallow to stop the all-important education of our children over money?  That is what this is all about after all, isn't it? 

And what about the pettiness of the arguments they present?  Most of what I have heard have been envious little slurs about corporations getting tax cuts or the governor's friends(?) not getting any cutbacks.

I think it is obvious to most of the thinking world that the Wisconsin debacle is nothing but a power grab for the all-too-powerful teacher's union.

It is a shame that we have to lump all of those teachers together under one umbrella - but that's what unions do - they take away the voice of the individual.

Collective-bargaining means that people give up their right to defend themselves - give up their right to excel and shine on their own - to be exceptional.  Instead they give that right to others who defend  them in the manner they deem necessary.

The constituents are reduced to becoming perennial victims who are trotted out and made to look pitiful every time the union needs a headline.

I don't always know the whole story; but I possess at least a smattering of common sense - enough to know that education is not at the epicenter of the storm in Wisconsin.

This time, it is not all about the children.

At times I think I want Governor Walker to wax Reaganesque and fire them all - but I don't know what's best.

I think how refreshing and wonderful it would be to see a few - just a handful of teachers - stand up.  To face their union brothers and sisters and say "this is not what I am put here to do - I am going back to work!"
To hear them say to the union bosses - "you don't speak for me ... and what's more, you don't speak for my students!"

But maybe my perspective is all wrong:

You see, our kids attend a private Christian school.  We pay for their education and then we also pay property taxes to help fund the public schools in our area.
I would say that the majority of families that send their kids to our school do so at a great sacrifice.

Most of the teachers are there because of their passion for teaching and their devotion to the students; certainly not for the money or the benefits. Some have taught for decades in the public school system and yet they come to our little school and teach for much less money and many of them plow a great deal of the money they earn right back into their classrooms.

Moms and Dads volunteer, assisting teachers and coach sporting teams.  Other parents give of their resources whether money or talent, to improve the facilities.

In recent years, families have sometimes had to pay more, teachers have faced cutbacks and budgets have been tight... . .

...but they all just keep quietly pressing on.

And why? 

To be a part of something bigger than themselves. 

Many of them grasp the big picture. They see the value of producing graduates equipped with the ability to thrive academically and from the foundation of a strong Biblical worldview.

They are teaching children that God is the source of all knowledge, He is truth and that He invented math. That's why 2 and 2 always - always - equals 4.  It is an absolute truth. And that absolute truth reflects the complete and infallible nature of our God.

Armed with that powerful perspective.  These children might just be instruments God will use to change the world.

Changing the world .... verses ... changing my health benefits....

...maybe my perspective isn't so wrong after all.