AFT joins NEA with conditions, asks Arne to resign.

[madfloridian]

I posted this in GD trying to get more views, but heck why bother anymore. Just for old times sake could someone give this rec?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025236686

It's really important that 2 major national unions have done this. Should be big news but I had to search on Twitter to find it.

[iemitsu]

1. This is important.

Maybe Obama will ask Duncan to resign and the Ed. Dept. can be run by someone who actually likes educators.

[delrem]

5. Sure, maybe Obama can. But Arne Duncan is Obama's pick since '09.

So Arne Duncan is truly the voice of the Obama admin, beyond all doubt.

It's hard to kick against the pricks, esp. when ... well... they're "hope and change" we elected.

One good thing, though. Arne Duncan isn't worse than Dianne Feinstein.
Isn't that enough to give a person heart??

Isn't it?

[iemitsu]

13. Sorry, that's not quite enough for me to feel any better.

I recognize that Duncan is Obama's choice but that doesn't mean he can't change his mind with enough input from the public. He always claims that he will do what he is pressured to do. We need to hold him to that promise.

[HooptieWagon]

2. I assume Arne is carrying out policies Obama wants...

... or he would have been asked to resign long ago. And since Obama is a lame duck, and doesn't have to worry about reelection, good luck with putting pressure on him to get rid of Arne.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. Needs a better headline

"Second teachers' union: 'Arne Duncan must go'"

or something like that. Sadly, lowbrow is what works.

[BrotherIvan]

4. Good for them!

The unions for all positions need to make sure they are heard. They are "the base" of the Democratic Party, so now it's time to remind them. I'm so proud to see teachers take a stand.

[delrem]

6. On the contrary, Third-Way is "the base" of the Democratic Party.

It's proven by who is in power.

[madfloridian]

7. No, they are not.

The DLC/Third Way took over by exerting their power by getting money from corporations so they did not have to depend on the base. One of their founders said so in almost those words.

It's just that if we vote, we have to vote for Dem or GOP....whatever they decide to stand for.

There are so many angry teachers and parents now that I am not sure what will happen come election time.

It was a hostile takeover of the party by corporate types....who in turn have performed a hostile takeover of public education.

[delrem]

8. I don't fully believe that.

I understand your wish that "progressives" were the Dem base, but that is totally falsified by history.

Your second para explains why.

eta: I think "third way dems" are neocons under another name. I think they've chosen "Liberal Interventionists" or some such nonsense.

[madfloridian]

9. Third Way took over when DLC shut down.

Neither are Democrats except in name only. When people have no other choice and they are loyal to one party....they vote for what is there.

Since anyone liberal is often driven out of primaries by various means....I have written a lot about Florida....there is often no other choice but the "centrist" or the Republican.

[BrotherIvan]

11. The base refers to the bottom of the pyramid, not the pinnacle

[Starry Messenger]

10. It *is* really important.

Sadly, this website no longer really gives unions much more than lip-service.

[madfloridian]

12. so true.

Things seem to have changed suddenly. I don't just mean about education, but posting anything serious is rather meaningless.