To The Editor:

I have enjoyed the debate on the value (intrinsic or otherwise) of teachers – that over-praised, overpaid, but not overworked group with major political clout.
The taxpayers of Georgia are in the same position as the Wisconsin taxpayers before they elected a governor who actually fought for the taxpayers of his state rather than go along with the self-perpetuating vicious circle of politicians receiving campaign funds from teachers' unions and then setting the salaries and benefits of those very teachers. If the marketplace had anything to do with teachers’ salaries, they would have all been reduced because there is a glut of teachers on the market right now.
But not here in Morgan County, where the teacher is the new saint and property taxes must be raised so that the teachers can get their ‘contract’ raises. No matter that unemployment, foreclosures and every other economic indicator continues upward; the teachers’ bloated salaries and benefits are sacrosanct. I am willing to bet big money that if the teachers were made to contribute to their benefits and participate in cost-cutting in the same manner as the private sector, they would be out in the street here just like they were in Chicago and Wisconsin.
If you are interested in more info/opinion, including the United Nations-promoted International Baccalaureate program to turn out good little European socialists that is already in the high school and slated for the other grades, check out http://ruoutragedyet.wordpress.com/
Sincerely,

Eloise Grubaugh
Buckhead
Via e-mail

Printed in the October 18, 2012 edition