More dangerous than Afghanistan, Chicago has seen 360 murders in 2012 through 9/9/2012. Twenty-five percent more Americans died in Obama's adopted hometown than in the entire combat zone of Afghanistan. It is the most corrupt city in the Nation, with Los Angeles and New Orleans trailing. It is a city where you can't get elected without the support of the union syndicates, the political machine, and the local cemetaries. Rahm Emanuel also had the support of the sitting President.
In Chicago, the mayor is chosen in the primaries. To run as a Republican is little more than holding a bonfire of your and supporters' money. So, Rahm Emanuel made deals with the Teacher's Union to get elected, but evidently a 16% raise is not enough of a pay back for teachers who on average earned $74,839 for 9 months work, last year.
They also want their work hours cut for a larger salary, because it's "about the kids," who clearly don't need all those hours of learning, according to the striking teachers. And oh yeah, they don't think that they should be forced to prove they can do the job. They don't want to be evaluated. You see, it isn't the teacher's fault that the students they "teach" haven't learned anything. Evidently, the Teachers (Union) believe poor minority kids just can't learn things the Teachers are supposed to be teaching.
Chicago is a city that won't even report its rape statistics to the FBI standards, so we can't know how bad it is there on that score, but it's clearly one of the most gun violence prone cities, despite un-Constitutional restrictions that prevent law-abiding residents from self-defense.
And the parents interview on TV? They're not complaining that their kids aren't getting an education, but rather that they will have to find a babysitter/daycare for the rugrats.
Not to worry though. The school system (funded by the Federal Government) is still giving away free lunches.
And the kids? They're not worried about not learning, but rather that it'll cut into their other vacation days, and their graduation dates.
When Wisconsin politicians didn't want to face a tough vote, it was in Illinois they went into hiding.
So, what's my point? Chicago is emblematic of the Nation's problems and current direction America is headed. It is corrupt with everyone involved focused on the wrong things. It restricts the God-Given and Constitutionally guaranteed Rights of American Citizens, creating a haven for violent criminals. Its teachers betray the sacred trust of the children because nearly twice the mean salary of the United States worker is not enough for them to work 75% as many days. The kids' parents are only upset that the overpaid babysitters aren't showing up. And the kids (who can be forgiven for being kids) are only upset that their summer vacation will be cut short.
In the end, 75,000 teachers have stopped teaching 400,000 kids because "It's about the kids" they're not teaching so well. In the meantime, Chicago Police Officers are going to have get out of their chairs, behind their desks, and go deal with... protestors.
Stumble It!