Upon hearing my president lecture government officials in Wisconsin about police, firefighters and teachers being our friends, I was set back and appalled.
I am retired as both firefighter and teacher and I can assure the president we are well liked by the people.
I've been represented by the U.
F.
T.
and N.
Y.
C.
Firefighters Union in many contract negotiations.
One thing I resented was the fact union representatives received better pay and did not work in the field.
My preference was to have the man or woman standing up for me remember what it is like in the trenches, rather than walking around in snazzy duds using a credit card paid for with my dues.
The representatives I knew were nice people but the longer their tenure the more they forget what you endure.
This is common sense and not an academic study by Harvard elites.
The union members don't want their dues going to political parties, they want it to benefit them and their families.
It is my understanding the Wisconsin governor wants to pay down the debt because the state government is broke.
He has promised not to lay off any workers but has asked them to pay more for their health care and contribute a larger portion of salaries to their pensions.
He wants to end the collective bargaining agreement because union leaders, not the rank and file, make unsustainable demands.
This sounds reasonable to me given the circumstances, but I must see him respond in accordance.
The salaries and pension benefits of he and the entire government must be slashed comparatively.
If the government leads by example and shares the pain the argument of continued demonstrations is moot.
Most shocking to me was Barack Obama's acceptance of teachers abandoning our youth.
He told us education was his top priority yet for three days he let educators skip school.
One day is too many Mr.
President! I know because I've been on the front lines teaching in 500 schools (where they dump the disruptive students), institutions for juvenile delinquents, special education and physical education.
In a situation like this you should lead by example and do the job you are being paid to do.
Demonstrating on your own time is acceptable but not on the taxpayers dime.
You didn't see cops and firefighters fail to respond because it is unacceptable to shirk your duties.
You are only as good as your word and they took and oath! Mr.
President, you did not bargain collectively with the American majority when it came to health care.
It was forced down our throats.
Please be consistent.
Why not bargain with the American people collectively.
Your excuse to pass a law that wasn't even read by you or apply to you, because we've waited to long already, just isn't fair and doesn't make sense.
Please explain how Nancy Pelosi's comment, "you have to pass the bill to know what's in it", is applicable to anything in life.
It looks to a blue-collar guy like me that you are for collective bargaining when it suits you and against such when it doesn't.
Why not enact legislation where all of government is forbidden to take contributions from unions.
These millions can go to them and their families where it belongs rather than the campaign coffers of politicians who are filthy rich.
Lead by example Mr.
President and live like the rest of us.