A very good comment on the Albert Lea (MN) newspaper website, about a story on teacher contract negotiations

A link to the story is here:
http://www.albertleatribune.com/news/2009/nov/11/teachers-contract-still-unresolved/

I simply can't believe the teachers. Period!!!! Who do they think they are???? We are coming out of a deep recession. Our economy is shaky at best. Plants, businesses, shops are closing. Peoples jobs are being downsized or eliminated. Retirements, 401K's, 403B's have all taken a hit. People are losing their homes, possessions. The wise person understands that to have a job is a blessing and now is not the time to whine for more salary, more benefits, more retirement. Just who do they think pays their salary? Do these people actually believe they are not replaceable?

There are hundreds of teachers lined up to take each and every job here. One out of work teacher applied for a position in our area as did another 800 teachers. Further, ALMINN, thanks for doing some actual research. '75 you, are barking up the wrong tree. You say you have "3 degrees" - well buddy this ain't 1975 no mo, and everybody and their brother has degrees up the yum yum tree.

My education is in the medical field. Ya, lots of math and science. And ya, not everybody graduated because it was actually tough. Lastly, for those out there that play the "emotional" card, you know, "its for the kids".....well let me respond. If it was really for the kids, every teacher would think about the burdens so many of their students come to school with each day. Unemployed parents, parents homes being foreclosed upon, parents pensions downsized or eliminated, money problems this recession has fostered. Angry households, negative circumstances, sad kids. And you, the teachers want more. Want those with decreased or lost incomes to pay for your bigger salaries, huge benefits and pensions that no one else can even come close to. How do you expect these people pay more taxes? How can the teachers even look those students in the eye and not feel guilt. Not feel that you are using those kids?