YOUR Teachers Union Dollars Hard at Work

This little ol' piece doesn't require much in the way of commenting, it speaks for itself.
The Oregon Legislature couldn't balance the budget like the rest of us do (cut excess, spend less, be careful), so they raised $733 million in new taxes that will drive small businesses from Oregon. NOW that WE the people got the 2 initiatives on the ballot for January, the NEA and the OEA, Teachers unions, are starting to do battle. This document came from inside the OEA.

Archives of OEA Newsflash from 2005 to 2009 can be read at: www.oregoned.org/newsflash

From the September 25, 2009 OEA Leader Letter Signatures Turned in to Put Tax Fairness on the Ballot Some large corporations and out-of-state special interests opposed to the legislature’s tax fairness measures appear to have turned in enough signatures to force an election this January. In order to uphold these measures and preserve Oregon’s critical services, now is the time to get involved in the YES campaign. (Notice they say "appear to have turned in enough". Sheesh we needed 55,179 and got over 125,000 on each petition) The two measures, which will likely be on the ballot in January, protect about $1 billion in funding for schools, healthcare, and public safety without making things more difficult for middle-class families. Voting YES on these measures will preserve services by raising the $10 corporate minimum income tax for the first time since 1931. Right now, two-thirds of the corporations doing business in Oregon pay just $10 a year in income taxes, while the average family pays about $3,100. When a single Oregon family pays more than 300 corporations combined, it’s time for a change. Voting YES on these measures will make Oregon’s tax system more fair for working families and will preserve schools and the essential services we all depend on. (Ah yes, it's always the old violin, "we'll lose schools....." How about balancing the budget with the money you already had, Democrats? How about the "hidden" money that is not HIDDEN!) The YES campaign needs your help. The corporate-funded opponents may have millions of dollars to spend on misleading TV ads, but we have you. We need your help to reach out to voters to explain why a YES vote will protect schools and critical services by making our tax system more fair. Your voice will make the difference. (Again, look at the spin: "outside money". "Big corporation's money". So, if money comes from the NEA, SEIU & OPEU which have contributed huge sums in previous tax campaigns is not considered "outside money"? Hmmm...) Here’s how you can get involved: (And of course I DON'T want YOU to do any of the actions below, but I DO want you to know what they are up to!) Sign the Pledge: Visit www.DefendOregon.org to get the facts and sign the Defend Oregon Pledge. Then, get your friends and family to sign up as well, letting the campaign know that you plan to vote YES on January 26. Spread the Word: Join an upcoming neighborhood event to get the word out about these measures. RSVP by visiting www.defendoregon.org/volunteer.php or by calling the campaign at 503-234-0444. Finalize Your Local Plan: Now's the time to put the finishing touches on your local association or UniServ's plan to engage and mobilize members. Schedule your dates for volunteer activities like phone bank and neighborhood walks. Begin recruiting members today! You can start by urging members to participate in the Defend Oregon Neighborhood Walk on October 3. Details below. Saturday, October 3 10am to 1pm Machinist District Lodge 24 3645 SE 32nd Avenue Portland, OR 97202 Download a flyer here.