GOP budget cuts for 2011 could cost up to 1 mil jobs

[TeeDub]

You forget that teacher pay has failed to keep up with inflation (as it has in most non-managerial positions in the private sector). So yeah, they're getting even less than what they signed up for, as are most of us.

Excuse me?

How is 31k + benefits fresh out of college for 10 months work not a fair salary? 

[Townsend]

http://www.ktul.com/Global/story.asp?S=14038956&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

DENVER (AP) - Education Secretary Arne Duncan says he's sticking up for teachers' unions in states where governors have threatened to shut them down.

Duncan wrapped up a two-day summit of union organizers, school board members and school administrators in Denver by saying he's "very concerned" about calls by governors in several states to bar teachers from organizing, or to limit their powers to bargain for pay and benefit.

Duncan says he plans to place a personal call to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican who has proposed ending bargaining rights for teachers there.

The education chief's remark won applause from the audience. The summit on improving labor-management relations in schools was attended by representatives from about 150 school districts in 40 states.

[nathanm]

Excuse me?

How is 31k + benefits fresh out of college for 10 months work not a fair salary? 

How is 31k + benefits 10 years in a fair salary?

[TeeDub]

How is 31k + benefits 10 years in a fair salary?

I must admit, I was waiting for you to try that....    Unfortunately you have wage minimums set by state legislature.    Lucky you.   Again, too bad I can't get things like that in the private sector.

http://sde.state.ok.us/Teacher/Salary/default.html

Someone is lying.   Either you or state statute.    I think I know which one I put my money on.  

[nathanm]

If only the statute was as bulletproof as it seems. I know people who haven't seen a raise in a ridiculously long time because when they started only an associate's degree was required and the people in question had a bachelor's, but now a master's is required to move up the pay scale.

Moreover, most people who work in classrooms these days aren't actually teachers. They're teacher's assistants who get paid by the hour and who aren't covered by the law you cite.

Talk to TPS if you've got a problem with what they're paying.

[Conan71]

If only the statute was as bulletproof as it seems. I know people who haven't seen a raise in a ridiculously long time because when they started only an associate's degree was required and the people in question had a bachelor's, but now a master's is required to move up the pay scale.

Moreover, most people who work in classrooms these days aren't actually teachers. They're teacher's assistants who get paid by the hour and who aren't covered by the law you cite.

Talk to TPS if you've got a problem with what they're paying.

Nope.  I've posted the figures on other posts about education.  Far more teachers than aides.  I sure would appreciate it if people would at least read stats which are posted instead of creating new realities.

[Red Arrow]

How is 31k + benefits 10 years in a fair salary?

It may not be a good salary but it fits the model of not evaluating teachers regarding pay for excellence.

[nathanm]

Nope.  I've posted the figures on other posts about education.  Far more teachers than aides.  I sure would appreciate it if people would at least read stats which are posted instead of creating new realities.

I go by what the teachers are telling me. Supposedly, TPS classrooms each have at least one aide and sometimes two, not counting special ed which may have more. What they're doing in Sand Springs, I can't say, as I don't know anybody who teaches there.

It's certainly possible I've misunderstood..I'll ask for clarification sometime.

[guido911]

Scumbag Wisconsin teachers dragging students to be props in their protest.

Abandon your jobs educating children and then turn around and use them. Nice.

[RecycleMichael]

I go by what the teachers are telling me. Supposedly, TPS classrooms each have at least one aide and sometimes two, not counting special ed which may have more.

I don't think any classroom in TPS has two aides. Half the elementary classes have one aide and the others share an aide with another class.

Having the aide allows them to pay them less and still count it in the teacher-student ratio. It also allows the aide to control the classroom when the teacher isn't there so the district hires less substitutes to also save money.

[heironymouspasparagus]

Teachers salaries are an embarrassment.  Other threads show the pathetic situation where they have not even stayed close to the horrendous performance of the minimum wage.

Nathan,
It isn't foreign adventures - it is imperialistic voyeurism. 

And the budget contains 158 billion just for Iraq and Afghanistan.  Which would have been done by now if we had actually finished taking care of the real problem way back in 2002 and 2003 instead of "Mission Accomplished".  But that wouldn't have benefited Halliburton as much, would it?

And now, those new tea baggers in Congress have to decide about a $3 billion program cost increase for the F-35 fighter.  Big move by Boner (Bush's term, not mine) to add another engine to the program at substantially increased cost.  And not needed OR wanted by the military.  Oh, and by the way, the companies involved would be in his district.  No surprise, but continues the "Hypocritical Oath" they all take. 

Does this sound reminiscent of the "Sergeant York" gun that Inhofe was so gung-ho about?  Something with no real purpose, not wanted by the military, but would put money in a buddies pocket.  (Yes.)

[Conan71]

Teachers salaries are an embarrassment.  Other threads show the pathetic situation where they have not even stayed close to the horrendous performance of the minimum wage.

Nathan,
It isn't foreign adventures - it is imperialistic voyeurism. 

And the budget contains 158 billion just for Iraq and Afghanistan.  Which would have been done by now if we had actually finished taking care of the real problem way back in 2002 and 2003 instead of "Mission Accomplished".  But that wouldn't have benefited Halliburton as much, would it?

And now, those new tea baggers in Congress have to decide about a $3 billion program cost increase for the F-35 fighter.  Big move by Boner (Bush's term, not mine) to add another engine to the program at substantially increased cost.  And not needed OR wanted by the military.  Oh, and by the way, the companies involved would be in his district.  No surprise, but continues the "Hypocritical Oath" they all take. 

Does this sound reminiscent of the "Sergeant York" gun that Inhofe was so gung-ho about?  Something with no real purpose, not wanted by the military, but would put money in a buddies pocket.  (Yes.)

Minimum wage simply is not a valid metric to compare.  According to stats I've posted, many people holding bachelor's degrees aren't keeping up with increases in minimum wage either if that's the way you want to look at it.

People earning minimum wage also don't get a pension and don't have 100% paid health and dental insurance, paid holidays including fall, winter, and spring breaks in addition to most all federal holidays.

[Townsend]

http://www.ktul.com/Global/story.asp?S=14047328&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Republicans say a smaller government eventually will spur private-sector job growth. Many economists challenge that claim, noting that the government helps pays for research, infrastructure, education and other programs that provide both public- and private-sector jobs. GOP leaders already acknowledge that thousands of government workers would lose their jobs in the short run under the $61 billion cost-cutting bill House Republicans are pushing this week.

If that happens, "so be it," said House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. "We're broke."

So there you have it.

[Hoss]

http://www.ktul.com/Global/story.asp?S=14047328&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

So there you have it.

The orange one has spoken...

[we vs us]

http://www.ktul.com/Global/story.asp?S=14047328&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

So there you have it.

His governmental theory is quite a contrast with, say, China, who is absolutely unafraid to use its government coffers to support the private sector with research and infrastructure investment. 

It's gonna be pretty interesting to see who wins the future on those terms.