According to the US Census New York spends $17,173 per pupil annually. Teachers rank among the highest paid/benefits enablig them to retire in their 50's Yet the state's education department acknowledges that only 23% of city kids are college ready and 4 of 10 won't earn a high school diploma. These statistics are replicate throughout the country. The USA ranks 28th among countries in its educational rankings.

The unions are battling the "opt out" proposal in Wisconsin because union dues equate to political power. Here are some initiatives by unions with the dues they collect: OregonEducation Assoc & SEIU for passage of ballot 66/67 which increased business income taxes some $727 miilion. Arizona teacher and public safety unions used these funds to increase state tax 5.6% to 6.6% raising an additional $1 billion. The same sort of initiatives in Washington, Californai, New York, Maryland... Huge political contribution to Obama and Obama look a likes has been well established.

Teachers, good ones can make the total difference in the life of a child. We all have fond memories of those teachers that had a positive effect on our lives. So my point is not about teachers, its about unions and the reality that they get in the way of progress by building their power base and making financial demands in order to justify their existence and making pols dependent on them for reelections. This comes at the expense of students and taxpayers. So I guess it is no surprise then that the only segment of society experiencing growth in employment are in the public sector, that is until now.