Chichester’s diatribe against teachers union was garbage
Normally I am very impressed with the quality and tone of the Viewpoint columns in The Sunday Gazette Opinion section. However, on Nov. 30 the Gazette printed one of the most ignorant, factually bankrupt pieces of journalistic garbage I’ve ever read, namely, “After years of noplan spending, fat-cat teachers deserve cuts.” by Christopher Chichester. Mr. Chichester formats his assault on the New York State United Teachers [NYSUT] in an open letter, stating proudly, “I am your reality check.” He then proceeds to spew a reckless diatribe of sophomoric, false, angry statements which are more delusional than realistic. Now it’s your turn for a reality check, Mr. Chichester. Where are the “assistants to assistant principals, make-work teacher aides and patronage employees” you cite in your op-ed? It’s your fantasy — they simply do not exist. As for your statements that “Charter schools are your Apocalypse Now,” and parents are “flocking to charter schools throughout the Capital Region,” this is another fl ight of fancy. Have you even read a newspaper or watched the nightly news? Students are now “flocking” to Schenectady and Albany public schools, because the charter schools they had attended have folded. You need to show me these “incompetent and criminal teachers” who are “nearly impossible to remove from the classroom.” Somehow I must have missed them completely during my 36 years of teaching in six schools and two school districts. Your description of NYSUT as “a job protection racket that celebrates mediocrity at the expense of high standards” simply confirms the depth of your ignorance. Do you have any facts whatsoever to back up this statement, or are facts optional in your version of “reality check?” But, alas, there is more vitriol. Mr. Chichester asserts that NYSUT “represents adults, not children. Children are mere props.” This nonsense is akin to saying that the American Medical Association doesn’t care about the health of their patients, or the pilots’ union doesn’t care about the safety of their passengers. Looking out for the interests of your members and promoting the wellbeing of your clients are not mutually exclusive. This reckless, hostile, unsubstantiated article would not pass muster in a middle school English class. To quote Chichester’s words, “you just got the truth handed to you. Deal with it.” VINCE DACQUISTO Niskayuna
Residents are sick and tired of going without so that the teachers can have a larger salary and more benefits, there has to be a limit on the amount that residents can be forced to pay each year in taxes especially in this economy when people are losing their jobs. We must all learn to live within our means and that includes the teachers.
Mr. Chichester asserts that NYSUT “represents adults, not children. Children are mere props.”
And correct Mr. Chichester was in this statement. Let us Rotterdamians not forget the Schalmont School teachers who wore their union t-shirts to school, in front of their classes, while teaching the children, displaying their discontent over their union contract.
Would someone please explain to me the purpose of that? It appears that in this case the teachers were in fact using the children as mere props.
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Here is a question......no matter where we work or what job we do....are there not folks that just show up for the paycheck, because they have to and mediocre is their middle name......we all know who they are and how they think they do more than everyone else, or just hide, or look 'busy' etc......
what do we think is the % of those workers??? because I have to say that college educated,trade educated etc doesn't make a difference except for the position.
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
I am writing in response to Douglas Boettner’s Dec. 3 letter, where he berates state workers. Why in the world he thinks the state’s budget problems should fall on the backs of state workers is unbelievable to me. As a proud state worker being referred to as spoiled, I beg to differ. Our contract raises do not keep up with the cost of living, and many of us work two or more jobs to make ends meet. The average salary of a union-represented state worker is far below private-sector jobs. We work hard, contrary to some people’s beliefs. We virtually run the business of the state, including services that Mr. Boettner uses — someday, perhaps, assisting him in a nursing facility. I firmly believe the financial problems of the state should be shared by all citizens of this state, especially the most wealthy of our citizens, when it comes to tax increases. State workers pay taxes, too! SALLY BYWATER Schenectady
The fiscal problems of NYS are due to the very very large amounts of money that are wasted on pork projects, an education system that's way too expensive, and an out of control welfare system that's sucking the life out of it's taxpayers.
The fiscal problems of NYS are due to the very very large amounts of money that are wasted on pork projects, an education system that's way too expensive, and an out of control welfare system that's sucking the life out of it's taxpayers.
BINGO! And let's not forget those patronage jobs!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
The average salary of a union-represented state worker is far below private-sector jobs.
Sally my dear, we all know that the average state worker is there for the time off and the benefits. They could give a hoot about their weekly paycheck. Every single person I know and I know plenty, have actually left private sector jobs for state jobs. And why? Time off, benefits and easier work load!!!!!!!!!! Some retirees are bringing home more money now than when they were actually employed!
Quoted Text
We work hard, contrary to some people’s beliefs.
COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Runaway school spending is killing New York taxpayers
I read Mr. Dacquisto's Dec. 5 letter regarding New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) and his indignation about an Opinion piece published in the Nov. 30 Gazette written by Christopher Chichester. Mr Chichester's opinion was that the NYSUT needed a reality check; teachers were overpaid, schools were overstaffed, and cuts could be made in many places (actually, his Viewpoint was a lot harsher than that). And I agree with Mr. Dacquisto that Mr. Chichester’s column was unkind, to say the least, but there are some important facts that should be raised about taxes in New York. On Dec. 6, The Wall Street Journal published a piece titled, “A Property Tax Cut Could Help Save Buffalo,” where they describe some of the problems with New York state tax spending related to schools. This is a quote from The Wall Street Journal article: “NYSUT has long been a central actor in driving up property taxes by demanding ever greater spending on public schools. This school year, New Yorkers (even excluding the Big Apple) will spend $18,768 per pupil, more than any state in the union and 50 percent above the national average. Upstate school enrollments have fallen 15,900 since 2000. Nonetheless, over the same period NYSUT has secured 5,000 new teaching and 7,400 new nonteaching positions.” The article gives more detail about the problems with New York state taxes, school taxes in particular, and goes on to propose a radical solution (dramatically lowering taxes to increase growth!) Something has to be done to help New York taxpayers. It's time to stop throwing salvos and to start looking at real solutions for New York state's tax burden, even if that means questioning NYSUT and spending on schools. As a taxpayer, all I can say is, help! CHRISTINE LEVY Saratoga Springs
I agree that the system is too heavy for itself and we cannot support it anymore.....however,,,,as folks who have broken homes, and both parents working even if there are two parents---no one is home or at the school functions to guide, discipline, teach etc in all those 'other' areas.....we as Americans like to 'pay for services' that we dont want to do.....that is fine but the money cannot puchase discipline, guidance, wisdom, and love of knowledge......
so here we are hiring more support for the teachers........to do all that the 'home' was supposed to do......
I think Ms.Clinton's village is based on our present dilemma....who is forming the next generation??? the government system we are paying for.......
...you are a product of your environment, your environment is a product of your priorities, your priorities are a product of you......
The replacement of morality and conscience with law produces a deadly paradox.
STOP BEING GOOD DEMOCRATS---STOP BEING GOOD REPUBLICANS--START BEING GOOD AMERICANS
Christopher Chichester's Nov. 30 Viewpoint focused on teachers, but the real issue is that there are nearly 2 million local school district and local and state government employees in New York with employment conditions that are simply beyond the means of New York taxpayers to support. This is the result of public employee unions’ campaign contributions, endorsements and support to career politicians in return for generous contracts, job protection and more jobs. A Dec. 6 Wall Street Journal article cited NYSUT's [New York State United Teachers] securing 5,000 new teaching and 7,400 new non-teaching positions since 2000 despite a drop in enrollment. What it did not mention is that these additions were part of the over 79,000 more public employees that local school districts and state and local governments added to their payrolls across New York between 2000 and 2007 to reach a total of over 1,887,000. How can New York afford almost 2 million employees with generous working arrangements? Have a look at the increase in your school and property tax bills between 2000 and 2007. Since the state will not be collecting taxes on tens of thousands of Wall Street salaries and companies that no longer exist, the shortfall will have to be made up by either higher taxes or spending cuts. Given the unions’ hold on politicians, expect your taxes to go up, significantly, again. The only way to break public employee unions’ control over career politicians and get spending, costs and taxes under control in New York is by true campaign finance reform and term limits. Only then will legislators and elected officials revert back to representing their constituents and approve legislation and spending that balances the needs, means and interests of all New Yorkers. JOHN DICOCCO Princetown
Schools must try to freeze salaries to reduce their budgets
Gov. Paterson recently addressed the deepening state budget shortfalls [Dec. 7 Gazette]. Instead of superficial reductions in growth rates (budget cuts), he actually proposed real reductions in state spending. A proposed wage freeze and even a reduction in the work force was a signifi cant change over the “business as usual” approach. Furthermore, he proposed a modest reduction in Medicaid and education funding — something akin to touching the “third rail” in politics. Medicaid programs demand restructuring. There is no good reason why New York’s Medicaid costs are twice that of California’s, which has twice our population. As the impact of the state's fiscal crises slowly penetrates the political class, reality is taking root. Yes, bloated state budgets over the years have caught up with reality. Yes, the annual nine-figure increases in Medicaid and education never is enough and never solves the problem. Throw in the history of state bonding projects and we find crippling interest payments exacerbating the fiscal crises. Belt-tightening is now a “must,” and not merely a talking point. As the political class considers this matter, what will happen when school administrations and boards get the word that there will be no increase in state aid, in fact a probable decrease in state aid next year? The temptation is to do nothing and simply roll the reduction of state aid over on to property owners. That is no longer acceptable, in view of the current reality. Historically, school districts do not recognize recessions. District personnel always get their step increases and raises, even during a recession. District budgets are driven by labor costs, which are driven by powerful unions. Keep in mind that the annual school budget vote is not relevant in controlling these costs, as all wage issues are “off the table." The reality is that approximately 99 percent of any school budget is “off the table." Check out the exact figure in your school district. We are facing the worst economic period in a lifetime. School administrations and unions must seriously address costs. Real cuts can, and must, be made that will not harm the educational programs. Freezing salaries is the obvious and seems the least disruptive. There is time to plan. But planning must happen in order to work out a plan that reflects the realities of the times, and not crush the taxpayer.
And people wonder why I take issue with unions. Tell me, what is the incentive to do a 'better' job? THERE IS NONE!! Unions had their place.....way back when. But in today's world, these union employees have it made. They make a decent wage, get great benefits, work in a safe environment, get coffee breaks, lunches and work decent hours. And for that the unions are definitely responsible for that. But what the hell else do they need?
And EVERY union has it's slugs. But they are protected by the 'union contract'. It is very difficult to fire a union slug! And trust me, I have many many friends and relatives that are union employees. And they are from various unions. I could tell you story after story on how they rape the taxpayer and employer.
Should all unions be desolved? Of course not. But there needs to be come changes. IMHO
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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