Glitches Aside, CEA Caucus Guide Very Informative

(Before you begin, please remember to take this through the filter of a writer who has been described as “one of the most virulent anti-public education individuals” in Colorado.)

Yesterday I wrote about the Colorado caucus (25 days to go). Today I found the most comprehensive guide of them all – created by the Colorado Education Association. Everything you need to know about the caucus is in there.

And more. Including the following suggested resolutions for CEA members to make at their caucuses:

Funding for Public Education and All Essential Public Services
BE IT RESOLVED that the ________________Party of __________________County is committed to insuring that the State of Colorado has an adequate tax base to meet the demands of quality public education, K-12 through higher education, and all other essential public services for all citizens.

Vouchers
BE IT RESOLVED that the ________________Party of __________________County opposes vouchers and tuition tax credits because they take public tax dollars away from public education and give them to unregulated private and religious schools; diminish the State’s already insufficient financial support for public schools; and erode the very foundation of our democracy.

“Right to Work” for Less
BE IT RESOLVED that the ________________Party of __________________County opposes any measure that restricts the right of employees to belong to and participate in a labor union including any measure that restricts the right of unions to bargain representation or agency fee provisions in collective bargaining contracts.

Right to Participate
BE IT RESOLVED that the ________________Party of __________________County opposes any measure that limits public employees’ right to participate in a labor union including any measure that limits the deduction of dues and political contributions from employee paychecks.

“No Child Left Behind”
BE IT RESOLVED that the ________________Party of __________________County is committed to insuring that the “No Child Left Behind” federal law is fundamentally improved and funded by Congress in order that its laudable goals of high standards and accountability for all children’s academic achievement may be realized.

Now you know where they stand, a labor union that seeks to collect more money for its members and to oppose programs that empower students and parents with choice and opportunity. (There isn’t time to deconstruct all these proposed resolutions, but vouchers and tax credits “erode the very foundation of our democracy”? Wow, talk about over-the-top rhetoric.) And you also know what to expect if a CEA diehard walks into your Republican caucus on February 5.

One more thing … a friendly note to CEA, since I know you read my blog. You may want to fix this glaring error on page 3:

U.S. Senate & Congressional Candidates
There is a very important U.S. Senate race in Colorado in 2008 as Sen. Wayne Allard is not running for re-election. NEA has recommended Joan Fitz-Gerald for this Senate seat. All seven of Colorado’s U.S. House of Representatives seats are important elections every two years.

Joan Fitz-Gerald is running for Congressional District 2, not the U.S. Senate – a contest between Bob Schaffer and Mark Udall. You wouldn’t want to embarrass any members who actually download the CEA Precinct Caucus Guide and start telling friends & neighbors about that Fitz-Gerald who’s running for the U.S. Senate.

Besides the suggested resolutions that shed some degree of transparency on the union’s agenda and a little candidate switcheroo goof, it really is a fine and comprehensive guide.