Out spent big tobacco four to one. Now THAT is an impressive statistic.

This is a good time to remind people that Teachers Unions block any type of "reform" that would benefit kids in lieu of benefitting themselves.

Here is the recently retired chief legal counsel of the NEA, Bob Chanin, who quite interestingly states that ...

"Despite what some of us would like to believe, it is not because of our creative ideas. It is not because of the merit of our positions. It is not because we care about children. And it is not because we have a vision of a great public school for every child.
NEA and its affiliates are effective advocates because we have power."

Video >>> Web Link

The CTA is responsible for the failure of California to obtain federal funding. Why? They opposed Race to the Top and the main reason was that they did not want teachers held accountable based on test scores.

Yup, Ca missed out on those millions of $$ because CTA doesn't want performance accountability AND, they want bad teachers to take up space in classrooms...no firing of bad teachers.
CA won't be $$ the next round either, unless those conditions happen. I'm listening to hear if any GOOD teachers come to the defense of the CHILDREN versus the status quo ! The union destruction exists because good people do nothing.
You're right, It's funny how they alway have millions for multiple ads on every issue, every election....spouting opinions on things that have NOTHING to do with education...like we're waiting for their 'POLITICAL' opinions....we're NOT !! Of course their politiking to our children in their classrooms is beyond disgusting ! Brainwashing with personal politics should be grounds for termination...contemptable behavior.

CTA is looking out for teacher AND students. Mostly teachers. Who are the following looking out for?
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America: $104.9 million

-- Morongo Band of Mission Indians: $83.6 million

-- Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians: $69.2 million

-- Pacific Gas & Electric Co.: $69.2 million

-- Chevron Corp.: $66.2 million

-- AT&T Inc.: $59.6 million

-- Philip Morris USA Inc.: $50.7 million

-- Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians: $49 million

-- Southern California Edison: $43.4 million

-- California Hospital Association: $43 million

-- California Chamber of Commerce: $39 million

-- Western States Petroleum Association: $35.2 million

-- Aera Energy LLC: $34.6 million

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Are you really naive enough to include the students as beneficiaries of this contributor list? REALLY??

CTA looks out for teachers and the CTA, period. They spend millions to make sure that tenure stays, that retirements continue to grow and that their own organization can fund outrageous salaries for CTA employees.
Our political system runs on bribes, also called lobbying, and until that system stops we will continue to see politicians swayed by money rather than facts. As pointed out with the above list, few organizations that have the money to pay bribes fail to do so, it's good business for them.

I'm really weary of the game that the teacher unions are playing. If they really look out for the "educational system" and the "children", then we WOULDN'T be in this condition.

On a side note, why do teachers and public employees still need unions to "protect" them? They are tooooo weak/lazy to stand up for themselves like other employees in the private sector?

oh...

Tenure is a horrible thing. Children are at stake. How can we all tolerate such a thing as tenure when it comes to an employee who has children in her/his care? There are teachers who psychologically hurt children and it's so difficult to get them out that it isn't done, and children are hurt year after year. The public should not stand for teacher tenure. BTW, I am a K-6 California credentialed teacher.

you could have fooled me...lissy...

What a wsste! How many teachers could have been hired with that money? How many books could have been purchased with that money? How many tutors could have been hired with that money? What did the teachers Union get for there money? Stop paying union dues until the union show they can do something for the teachers. Gloria

Definitely one of the strongest and most influential unions......far more than it should be. There is no doubt in my mind any sort of meaningful education reform is being prevented by this entity.

To ? , FYI in case you don't 'get it' Ca Edison, Indian band this 'n that, PG&E, CA HOSP Assoc, do NOT PRETEND to care about children ! ! ! ! ! All we taxpayers do is up the pay for your (CTA) threats...(as you teach children to kick their heels & scream& threaten if they don't get what they want).... so you can then lobby for assorted political campaigns....UNION WINS your & our $$$$$. you've let yourselves be used & manipulated, and taxpaying parents have spent $$ that did not help or go to their kids ! ! ! Instead of paying more union dues for you, we could have sent our kids for extra tutoring.