Greg Grieves is one of the rare Democrats running for the Michigan Legislature against a Republican that is recommended by the Michigan Education Association. Only three Republicans out of 114 races received the MEA recommendation. The public employee union represents more than 157,000 teachers, faculty and education support staff.

His Republican opponent is Mike Callton of Nashville. Both candidates hope to replace Republican Rep. Brian Calley in the 87^th state House district seat.

To know part of the reason why Grieves is an exception one need look no further than his candidate profile posted by WOOD-TV8 in Grand Rapids.

The first question on the WOOD survey asked about the proper way to put Michigan "back to work." Grieves' first suggestion was that the state should cut funding for education and roads.

The second question asked for his top priority in the first 100 days in office. He wrote: "trying to get concession from all state employees."

The fourth question asked what he would cut to balance Michigan's budget? Grieves wrote: "schools, university, roads, jail."

The Kalamazoo Gazette reported: If elected, Grieves said he would divert money away from education and instead use it to help existing manufacturers in Michigan expand their production and hire more people.

"I would put less emphasis on education and more on jobs for people," Grieves said,

Grieves doesn't appear to be angry with the MEA by the slight.

"MEA is a very good and well run group," he wrote in an e-mail. "But they have not refused to take more money from the bailout. Our country is in bad shape and we need jobs. That comes first before anything."

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See also:

A Conservative Teacher Speaks Up

Michigan Teacher Union Concedes Large Percentage of 'Conservative' Teachers, But Political Recommendations Skew 97% to Democrats

Pro Union Republicans

The MEA Money Tree

TEA PARTIERS TAKE ON SPECIAL SENATE RACE 

Many Senators Refuse to Stand Against "Ineffective Teachers" 

Kent ISD Resources Used to Promote a 'Reception' for Democrat Congressional Candidate

Legislators Link Common-Sense Reforms to Tax Hikes

Analysis: Senate GOP Fumbles, May Approve $25.9 Billion Taxpayer Liability to Satisfy MEA

School Pension Reform Stalls in Senate

Analysis: The Public Employee Union Problem

Opinion: 'Evil Party and Stupid Party' at Work on School Pension Reform

Government Employee Political Clout Obstructs Budget Reform  

"Fighting for School Reforms" - Against Whom?

 

By Sean Gray

(Editor's note: Yesterday, MichCapCon posted a story about the Michigan Education Association listing a poll in its recent member magazine showing that a larger percentage of teachers nationwide list their political views as "conservative." The remarks below are the views of one such teacher from Michigan.)

I can't tell you how many times I've heard people say, "Wow, you're a public school teacher, and a Republican/ Conservative?" That's not something you see every day." Or, "You must feel out of place there."

I customarily offer: No, there are actually quite a few, but we're just not very vocal.

I believe the Michigan Education Association is representing the views of their members... that is to say, their VOCAL members, which is partly why only three of 114 MEA endorsements went to Republicans.  Why are Republican teachers far less vocal about their political preferences? 

Fear.

After over 20 years of public school service, in districts across the region, I have observed and personally experienced intimidation, name-calling, isolation, contempt, booing in the halls, and the like.  It's been a lonely experience at times.  Even many good-hearted Republican teachers will avoid and isolate out-spoken Republican teachers due to the fear of 'guilt' by association.

And since the out-spoken teacher can't find much relief from the intolerance and attacks by some of the other teachers, along with a genuine fear that their career may be in jeopardy, he/she simply submits to silence, pays their dues, puts their nose to the grindstone to work hard at educating, contributing and making a positive difference in the lives of students.

So, the MEA, with legitimate conviction and a clear conscience can endorse 97% of Democratic candidates because they can honestly say: Hey, this is what over 97% our members are SAYING [read: being vocal about what] they want in political leadership.

But it's not necessarily true. What is more likely true is that some teacher's views regarding public education are encouraged, highlighted and honored, while other views are discouraged, kept down and even punished, creating fear. 

The fear seems to help sustain a political dominance cycle.  Republicans fear, so they stay silent. Democrats hear no opposition to their views, so they assume friendly ears and speak more boldly. 

But the problem is that the representation for conservative members hardly exists. Too often the conservative watches helplessly as his/ her union dues support candidates who do not support his/her views, as is evidenced by this latest round of MEA endorsements.

During the first week of school this year, at a professional development [PD] meeting, we were put into groups to talk about student topics. As I often do, I spoke out and offered my thoughts and, as I often do, felt alone. 

A teacher from the PD group later met me in the hall and asked my name.  When I told her she said: Oh, Sean Gray, that makes sense [by what I said in the meeting, apparently].  So you are the conservative teacher, with the tone of: 'so you're the sole conservative on campus...'  But before I could offer my customary line of 'there are actually quite a few, but we're just not very vocal' line, I spotted a teacher and close friend coming towards us and, eager to greet him, I turned to the teacher from my PD group, shook her hand and said: it was a pleasure meeting you, and offered a kind goodbye. 

The teacher and close friend I was eager to greet?  Another Conservative teacher.  

And I remember thinking to myself: Is this how liberal/ Democrat teachers feel all the time?  Because for the first time that week I didn't feel so out of place, it felt a bit more like home.

~~~~~

Sean is a high school science teacher at a school district in metro Detroit, published author and candidate for Washtenaw County Commissioner.