What happened to DEMOCRACY???. .

Missourians-- pay attention to the Wisconsin Unions and what the teachers, public employees, and the middle class workers are facing because WE are next, it will eventually happen to us. After everything that happened in Egypt last month, we are now seeing chaos in our own country; a country that has rarely seen such large and tense demonstrations.  We are watching people storming the Wisconsin capital doors with picket signs and 'It's About Freedom' t-shirts, people are now rising up and wanting to be heard.  We should all go help demonstrate for the dispossessed in Wisconsin, every single one of us. It's a time to come together and fight;  fight for this assault on working families, the attack on public employees, and this slander on education. The rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer. Republicans are waging war on the middle class!!!

Wednesday's disrespect for the people was blatantly shown when Wisconsin Republicans passed a bill that stripped public sector unions of some of their rights. Their disrespect for the people of Wisconsin and their rights is an outrage that will never be forgotten.  Less education, less health care, and fewer jobs means hurt people and a hurt economy.Where is President Obama? And why is he not addressing the bullying the Wisconsin Government is doing?
What's an even bigger travesty to our nation it that the teacher's are being used as the scape goat in the middle of all of this mayhem. The country is not in turmoil because of teachers. If teaching were just a "job" then pay them babysitter wages or minimum wage and teachers would make more than they do now.  Teachers do pay in to their health care anywhere from 20-50%, which is comparable if not more in some cases than those in the private and/or corporate world. Teachers pay into their own pension, as well, from their own salary. When they finally can retire, often into their 60's, their pension contributions will have been paid 95% out of their very own pockets! Many districts, towns, and the government do NOT match contributions as many who have a 401k.  Teachers subsidize their retirements by contributing to an unmatched 403b plan. Teachers pay out of pocket for supplies and extras, lunches and coats or sneakers for children that don't have it. They pay for graduate classes and many have Master's and PhD's in their field. Do other 'jobs' have such requirements?  Missouri Teachers-- This is what we are facing!! It's starting now, small, but it is starting with HB 628.  Union busting bills are being introduced in at least 10 states, including Missouri. ( MNEA Union)

Unions work together, labor and management to reach a mutual agreement. Teachers have made many concessions, taken increases on co-pays, premiums contributions, pay freezes or no raise at all which in turn means they actually take home less and less each year. Teachers need to make a living wage just as any other professional or any other American for that matter. Who is paying your health care? How much do you actually contribute to it? Who is paying for your medicare? Who is paying for your pension when you retire? A union is simply a voice! There are many reasons why the economy is in the state it is in and it is real simple to choose an easy target to blame the unions. This will not solve the problem, nor will ignorance.

America, you need to truly get informed. You need to educate yourself on the facts, not the twisted hype or spin that the media sensationalizes. If you don't, then you are continuing to live in ignorance and the real problems will never be resolved. Teachers are not the problem, public employees, and middle class workers are not the problem, they are part of the solution and they are doing everything they can to survive in this economy. Taking away their voice is simply wrong. What happened to Democracy? As the beginning of democracy is beginning in Middle East we are now seeing it end in the midwest. That is what the people in Wisconsin are thinking, that is what many of us are thinking. Nothing says democracy like voting with no notice, preventing the public from observing, and locking the doors of the capitol. We have to stand up for what is right.

People power is a beautiful thing. I support you #wiunion.