Pubdate: Fri, 04 May 2007
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2007 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.starbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/196
Author: Michael D. Clark

TEACHERS TRADED THEIR RIGHTS FOR MONEY

James Madison spoke these words to the Virginia Convention on June 
16, 1788, during another ratification process. They're as relevant 
today as they were back then: "I believe there are more instances of 
the abridgement of the freedom of the people by the gradual and 
silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."

Well, with the ratification of this new contract, teachers have aided 
and abetted these "gradual and silent encroachments by those in 
power" and acquiesced in the circumscription of our own freedom. We 
can blame our pusillanimous and feckless leadership for not nipping 
this proposal in the bud during negotiations, but in the end it came 
down to us, and a majority of us sold our souls for a few pieces of 
silver. They chose short-term financial gain over our more 
fundamental rights as teachers and citizens.

Believe me, this is just the beginning of the rights we'll be asked 
to concede in the future.

Michael D. Clark

Honolulu
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