I know I said I was taking a break from the whole political happenings here in Wisconsin. I did mean it, I am sick of being angry all of the time. I am sick of fighting with people I love, but I talked to my friend Katie yesterday and realized that you can't just stop.
Katie is a teacher, and a really good one. She is feeling deflated and alone, she doesn't feel like anyone in her family supports her. When it comes to the Walker issue, the don't, they voted for Walker and one of her siblings our right gloated when he won the recall. I would imagine that her family was very proud of her when she got her Masters degree, now don't you think they should support her as a teacher?
It is not like she has a fancy car or even owns her own house, she is by no means a pauper but it is not like her salary permits her to live some lavish lifestyle. I do believe she should be able to at the very least buy her on home.
Katie is a very family oriented person, she spends a lot of time with her parents and her siblings.
This is yet another example of the damage that has been done by Walker. It is demolishing relationships. It is demolishing the spirit of those who spend the most awake time with our children.
I would think as parents every one would want a good education for their children. Messing with our teachers is wrong. They deserve to have collective bargaining and they deserve to have contracts.
We are messing with the wrong population here folks! What is next? Should we have push the elderly into Lake Michigan Day? Just have to find a good deep spot to insure that they sink. This of course would be based on their income, we can let the rich elderly live.
My heart broke as I spoke to Katie, as her voice was crackling, and I am pretty sure the tears were welling up. Katie doesn't do that with ME. My Dear friend Katie is feeling alone and has no support from her family. I wanted to jump into the phone and hug her and take all of her pain away.
On the last day of school for the kids, one of her Walker supporting parents walked in and said to Katie, "I may not always agree with you, but you are the best teacher".
So from Laurie Peterson(K) to Bill Powers(6) and everyone in between. From me to you. Thank You! You have touched my life and each one of you has a special place in my heart.
For Barb Nava, Tina Paschke, and Jo Anne Tully, Thank You!!! You are forever in our hearts.
Especially you Tina, you were the BEST, even if we would argue from time to time. You make a difference.
For Katie and My Sister, I love you. You are not alone. You will never be alone.
Love and Light.
This is so true. People don't seem to understand the damage it is doing to our educational system and the individuals who make up that system. The good teachers are rare and hard to find. They spend their life dedicated to helping children. Then they get a slap in the face by the politicians or in this case one in particular who seems to have a grudge against teachers. There are other state workers involved too. At the university where I work there aren't that many who make six figures but there are a lot who make $11 an hour and can't make ends meet. There are a lot who make $15 an hour and can't make ends meet. It isn't like the unions weren't cooperative with the government when concessions were needed. We had furlough days for the previous two years that helped to ease the budget issues. They hurt enough but then to get a 15% pay cut and have our insurance rules change so we are paying more out of pocket. It all hurts. It hurts more when friends and family treat you like it is your fault that the government does wasteful spending. Start at the top and tax those who can best afford it not at the bottom to those who are only hanging on by the bare minimum.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your friend is struggling. It isn't right. If she needs someone to be supportive feel free to give her my number, email, or whatever.
The sad thing is - if we all worked together and looked for positive solutions - we probably would find better ways of doing it and be more economical all the way around. Most government departments have a program that encourages the employees to turn in suggestions for saving money. These should be ramped up. Instead Walker has alienated most of them. It is very hard to do your job when you feel no one appreciates what you do.