Why would any public school teacher vote Republican???

[Maddy McCall]

An acquaintance of mine has been an elementary school teacher (public) for the past 20 years. She votes republican, nationally, statewide, and locally--in other words, across the board Republican--even though all gains to the education system here, and nationally, have been because of Democrat-sponsored legislation.

Democrats propone pay raises for teachers, mandatory kindergarten attendance, better school facilities--the list goes on. All teachers' unions here support Democrats, yet there are teachers who blindly vote Republican!

Most teachers here are women, married, whose husbands' jobs contribute the bulk of the family income. Of course, what these teachers don't realize is that if they supported more Democrats and Democratic legislation, their pay could rise to equal their husbands--but then that brings in the whole issue of the "glass ceiling."

Anyway, your thoughts--Why would anyone in public education (k-12; higher ed) support Republicans??

[Jacobin]

1. Cause

They think they are gonna win the lottery or have some aunt they don't know about die and leave them millions and then they would have to pay too much in taxes.

I've actually heard people say that.

:shrug:

[goddess40]

9. my husband USED to be one of those people

He has seen the light and now almost says he is a Dem.

Also I should add that some of them are stupid 'one issue voters'.
I can't think of any reason pro-lifers would vote rep anymore, the right has the white house, both houses and they own the souls of enough supreme court justices that if they really wanted to overturn roe they wanted to.
Then there are the 'one issue voters' that vote on the lies the right tell about the motives of the left about gun control.

[VermontDem2004]

2. I don't know...but I remember

during the 2000 election, one of the students asked the teacher who would you vote for. She said 'Bush, because I am from Texas and I usto teach in Texas. The public school system in Texas usto be horrible. Bush has really improved public education in his state which is why I will vote for him because he will improve public education in this country' Paraphrasing of course.

[LoneStarLiberal]

7. True If You Teach In A Wealthy District

Which is true if she had the priviledge of teaching in one of our state's wealthy suburban districts. If you go to Frisco or Plano (affluent suburbs of Dallas) and ask teachers the same question, most will probably say Bush.

One of the few broadly popular things in the educational community Bush did here in Texas was start dismantling TEA (Texas Education Agency). Unfortunately this deregulatory move was concurrent with an explosion of influence from right wing God bothering groups like the Eagle Forum on our state educational system.

If you aren't in a priviledged district then you probably won't be so quick to sing Bush's praises. Republicans being what they are (embracers of inequality and haters of the poor), many districts have suffered under Bush's education reforms here in Texas. Like most of the suffering that the poor do at the hands of Republican policies, though, they don't get the media exposure to publicize the problem.

[tnlefty]

15. I remember hearing taped interviews and reading info. from teachers in

TX begging voters "don't let him to the nation what he's done to education in the state of TX". I remember seeing a newsclip of him right after the selection when a reporter pointed out the sorry state of the finances in TX because of the property tax cuts and his policies while governor and the ramifications on education, etc., and his response:

"I'm not the governor of TX anymore."

Another mess he didn't have to accept the consequences for.

[zbdent]

35. Did this teacher insult herself?

"I used to teach in Texas. The public school system in Texas used to be horrible."

That could be read as "I improved it by leaving it!"

Kinda like how I always joke that I raised the average IQs of both cities by LEAVING PITTSBURGH and MOVING TO CLEVELAND.

[bearfan454]

3. They don't think is why

Just like all the people where I work that lost half of their 401k. They will vote for Bush again. Some people just don't get it.

[Nederland]

4. Perhaps

...because there is more to their life than work?

[Maddy McCall]

5. Not much more...not if you are a teacher.

I am a prof at a public university. There is never a night when I go to bed and think, "Ah, everything's done."

If you are saying that social issues compel them to vote Republican, then I may see your point. But I would also counter that the poverty that teachers encounter in classrooms would be enough to turn me towards the Democratic Party.

[terryg11]

6. it's weird isn't it?

but I know a few myself. It was very hard being controlled when they would talk to the elementary school kids about the war in Iraq. My daughter came home talking about how bad the Iraqis were. Put a stop to that but it was very frustrating tht a teacher would do such a reckless job of interpreting these events to young kids no matter what their intentions were

[LoneStarLiberal]

12. Pardon If I Offend Someone Here...

I, like jchild, work at a public university. I am a staff member and PhD student, not a professor. My job, however, puts me in contact with all of our different areas where there are professors doing research. As such I've had the advantage of seeing many different areas "in action" and I've known many people both as friends and acquaintances who have degrees in education and in other fields.

Your post hits on something that grates on my last nerve: How we train teachers (at least how we train them here in Texas). You talk about the reckless job a teacher did with your daughter's class. Seeing how future teachers are educated here at my particular school it is no wonder that a teacher would do such a reckless job...they aren't equipped to understand these types of events for themselves, much less to explain them to children or teen agers. By equipped I mean they don't get the training because it is not demanded of them.

I can understand how you would need a specific degree in Elementary Education if you are teaching elementary school. But I think it is nothing short of lunacy to send junior high and high school teachers out to "teach" specific fields when they don't have majors in those fields but rather in education! We (at least here in Texas) are allowing professionally incompetent people to become teachers.

[Yupster]

36. Agree with you lonestar

My college education work had very little to do with teaching. I was pretty much unprepared for teaching on my own. The biggest neglect was discipline which is why almost every first year teacher gets eaten alive by the kids.

I remember my education courses being taught high among the clouds of academia with very little connection to the actual classroom.

The only stuff I learned was from student teaching. The classroom teacher I student taught with showed me how it really worked.

I hope colleges don't train doctors like they train teachers.

[GainesT1958]

8. The per centage of Repub-voting teachers...

Must roughly correspond to the per centage of teachers diagnosed as Masochists! :eyes:

B-)

[tnlefty]

10. They enjoy being underpaid, having to buy classroom supplies from

their own pockets? I probably shouldn't respond to this because I've been grouchy about this very issue for about a month now. Roughly 3/4's of the teachers and admins. in this county vote GOP and hence to cut their own throats as well as those of the kids. I've been vocally ugly with a few of them recently and I'm not apologizing for it!

[slackmaster]

11. I find this kind of thread disappointing, almost disturbing

The implication is that there must be something "wrong" with someone who doesn't see things the same way as the person asking the question. I could post some reasons why some individuals who happen to be schoolteachers might vote Republican some of the time, but the fact that the question was asked in the first place shows a lack of imagination at best and dogmatism or small-mindedness at worst. If you don't already understand why people may have different attitudes than you do, a simplistic answer to this query isn't going to do you any good. You'll probably reject the answer anyway.

I recommend that you concentrate on giving people a good reason to vote for Democrats rather than berating their personal choices that are based on complex personal reasons which may include family traditions, social pressure, religion, and economics.

[Maddy McCall]

21. Well, let's see...

I didn't imply...I frankly stated that I couldn't understand it.

Lack of imagination or small-mindedness? Not exactly. I understand the role that social, religious, geographical, and other issues play in party affiliation. I like to discuss things that are on my mind with other DUers. I am sure that YOU never do that, eh?

And I am aware that many people have numerous reasons to "not be like me." That is fine...I love diversity, as long as that diversity does not include an elementary teacher inculcating Republican philosophy in my child, which some attempt futilely to do.

And I have quite successfully "converted" some ingnorant Republican friends who had no idea what they were supporting to the Democratic Party. Indeed, one was a teaching assistant who is now working on her elementary ed degree. Sadly, she looks forward to being in the classroom so that she can "bring more kids to Christ" through prayer and "witnessing." That disturbs me.

Anyway, I would never purposefully insinuate that you are "small minded" simply because I don't like the way you may have worded a thread. Indeed, I think your very reply demonstrates a certain amount of the very intolerance of which you subtly accuse me.

Good day. :-)

[slackmaster]

22. If you want a serious answwer and productive discussion

You are asking the wrong people.

Go to a Republican forum, introduce yourself, politely ask "Are there any public school teachers here?", and ask them why they vote Republican.

Or how about asking the acquaintance you mentioned in your initial post? Any answers you get here will be speculation and guesses.

[Maddy McCall]

27. Whoah...Didn't realize a question about republican behavior would make

you so defensive! Or maybe I did, after checking some of your other posts.

Suggestion: If you don't like the thread, ignore it; if you think I'm simple minded, ignore ME. If you feel the need to condescend repeatedly to me, then that tells me a lot about your obsessive personality. Glad you aren't a DU Mod!

[Maddy McCall]

29. Your solution: "Go to a Republican forum" for the anwer...

demonstrates YOUR small-mindedness, indeed.

I didn't WANT answers from Republicans; I wanted DUers' takes on it.

Now, go back to your gun or suv thread, please! You offer no opinions here, only criticism.

[slackmaster]

38. You asked for DUers takes on it and I gave you mine

If you don't like it feel free to ignore it.

My opinion is that your question is futile and pointless in this forum. I believe all you are likely to get is a bunch of "Yeah, Republicans sure do suck and anyone who votes for a Republican is wrong" type answers. And it appears that I am correct.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

24. Small mindedness is voting against the greater good

and in the field of public education this is voting republican.

[Maddy McCall]

30. Agree 100%

n/t

[JVS]

13. Maybe they are teaching so that they can illegally force kids to pray.

Sorry, couldn't resist the joke. I kind of have to agree with #11.

[samsingh]

14. why

would any gay person vote Repug?

[AlinPA]

16. Reasons: Guns and God

and in the last election "to get back at Clinton" for "carrying on in the White House". I have been told that by people who voted for Bush (actually against Gore because he was "hooked up with Clinton") Stupid.

[salin]

23. What do they think the carrying-on - and encouraging

of glutinous greed that is nurtured by the policies of this administration? (Not to mention the lying, the killing, the lying to garner support for the killling).

Never understood how one sin is so bad, and another suddenly is a virtue. :shrug:

[AntiCoup2K4]

17. My brother (a teacher) admitted voting for Bush Sr.

He only voted aginst Bush Jr because of his environmental record in Texas. But then admittedly, my brother is an asshole.

[RobertSeattle]

18. Similar question regarding USPS workers

Our building used to have this extreme right wing mail carrier - listen to Limbaugh while sorting the mail. Couldn't ever figure it out why someone with one of the most "governmental" of jobs could be so right wing without imploding from the hypocrisy of it all.

[LynneSin]

19. Usually stuff like that is related to "Single-Issue" voters

I could never figure that one out with teachers or for that matter Union Members who are watching their jobs leave the country thanks to some of these hideous free-trade rules.

But many of these folks who should vote democrat but end of voting republican are doing so because of 1 or 2 issues (aka the "Single Issues") voter that overlook what's best for their career in order to take up the single issue.

Such issues include Choice, Guns, GLBT rights, Affirmative Action, Morality and of course God & Jesus.

We probably lose more Union voters because of the gun issue. And it's not because of the laws we have or have considered, but the fact that we allow the NRA to infiltrate states with strong Unions and pro-gun stance and the NRA convinces these folks that democrats will take their guns away if dems are elected. We don't need to change our gun control policies - we need to rethink how we are marketing because we allow the NRA to take over elections and help bring down the democrats. These gunlovers forget they are in the Union and vote with their guns instead.

And believe me, that's the same with Choice. I don't care WHAT job an anti-choice person has and how much better the democrats could affect their career; anti-choice will vote republican (unless the repuke in question is pro-choice and the dem isn't - but that only happens in PA).

I truly believe we lose more voters about the single issue and who knows how to fix that. For some things like Gun Control, it's easy enough to go with 'State's Rights' for who decides what the laws are. But that's a harder thing to do when we're dealing with equal rights - which we need across the country. God forbid we give 'State's Rights' for anything related to Civil Rights, Affirmative Action and the more recent hot topic - Gay & Lebian Rights.

So there are voters out there that we will lose no matter what. I suppose we have to pick our battles and hope for the best!

[Donna Zen]

20. Posting as an insider:

First, let me remind all that many people in this country vote against their own self-interests because of corrupt media and the following reasons which also apply to teachers:

• The political pulpit (most frequent reason for teachers)

• fear of the other (foreign and domestic)

• anti-intellectual

• Rush etal

• taxes and guns (I heard this from many students..."Al Gore is gonna take our guns away and raise taxes")

• Gore's association with Clinton

• They are pressured and unhappy in the classroom...if things are not going well, the republican meme is to "blame the dems."

[salin]

26. So what do they do now when the excuse is taken away?

The dems have no power. Can't blame them anymore. Sort of makes the blame ring hollow. For a few, perhaps, over time the cognitive dissonance caused by repeating the meme - with the knowledge of the reality that the dems have NO power - will push them beyond that particular meme.

[azrak]

25. I can think of several reasons

There is so much "other" learning going on that teachers don't have the time to teach the basics. Volunteer in you local school, not once or twice a week, go there everyday for a month. Been there and in one of the best financed school systems in the country you can feel the frustration of the teachers. More money doesn't make up for the 5% of your class who cannot and will not learn, and prefer to make it so no one else can either.

I've taught on the East coast and the West coast. The east Coast I had to be janitor in my own school room. I had to mop the floor when the roof leaked, I had 1/2 as many books as I did kids. I made exactly 1/2 what I make on the West coast. Here we have excellent janitorial, food, text books, everything else and as I said, twice as much money. I have been threatened physically, and had my own children threatened, Have intervened in a serious harrassment case and seen sexual harrasement at 6th grade level.

Do I vote Republican? Not yet. But we need to change something in the school's and fast!

[Maddy McCall]

31. So how do you feel about Bush's "No Child Left Behind,"

which has stringent requirements for school districts to achieve standardized levels of learning, but provides no funding for the school districts.

Better funding would indeed solve three-quarters of the problems you cited in your post.

[tnlefty]

33. Who is in this 5% of those who cannot learn?

Just out of curiosity? Possibly kids who learn diffently than the standard sit down, shut up, I'm doing all of the talking, no questions, and if you move I'll punish the hell out of you?

[Maddy McCall]

34. and add to that "or convince your parents to put you on ritalin."

:-(

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

28. Why would ANYONE vote republican?

Anyone, that is, who is not part of the ruling class?

[Kamika]

32. Can only think of religious reasons

Maybe they want to get rid of darwin etc.. only reason i can think of

[catpower2000]

37. My best guess? She's anti-choice. nt

[Spirochete]

39. My sister is a teacher...

and she voted for Gore. She didn't like Gore, but she hated Bush.
And she wonders aloud the same thing - "why the fuck would any teacher vote Republican". She says she doesn't personally know any that do, but she's heard that some do, and she doesn't understand why either.