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1. What percentage of the actual curriculum being taught at the local level is under the control of this dreamy federal centralized hierarchy you're talking about? 
   
2. How many teachers are there in this country.  Multiply that piddly $14 per teacher by all of them and it's a war chest that helps fund all sorts of political agendas, most of which I'm pretty sure you'd be giddy to support. 
   

One thing you got right in that last statement.  Your governor is trying to hold teachers accountable to a test which is ridiculous in its own right, but that's what happens when you cede control to a higher authority.  The last thing unions push for on any front is accountability.  It's all about political power and influence.

 

 

Well, just skimmed the Dept. of Ed's website...  Looks like they handle Higher Education grants, Loans, as well as administering the Bush created No Child Left Behind (which Obama is continuing). 

 

So there's alot they do.  There's alot they do well.  There are also alot that needs to be reformed.  Of that there is no doubt.  The No Child Left Behind thing is what started this ridiculous standardized testing thing.  And I agree that needs to be laid to rest.   

 

You'r critique of Unionization is expected.  You fail to mention how beneficial unions are in terms of collective bargaining and security of employees.  I think you'd be surprised to know how many republicans are actually in unions.  It's crazy, I know, because if you only pay attention to certain news outlets, you'd think all republicans are opposed to the same things the news outlet tells them to be.  But, believe it or not, when behind closed doors, some republicans still choose to do what's in thier best interests.  

 

With the employer I work for, there are 50% conservatives, 20% liberals and 30% who just want whats best (Independents).  But we're all unionized and we're all pretty happy about it.  Also, the Union I'm in doesn't push any political agenda.  But if you only watch certain news outlets, you'd think we're all commies that are organized to destroy the world--starting with America.

 

Believe it or not, things are alot more complex than what Beck, Savage, Limbaugh and the rest are telling you.

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