The opposition claims about possible problems with bus safety have been shown to be totally without merit. The claim that teachers will be able to strike is easily disproven by a simple reading of the proposal. Perhaps these folks have trouble with reading comprehension, but I doubt it. The more likely answer is that they arrogantly believe that they can outright lie without being called on their dishonesty.
Regardless of what one's position is on Proposal 2, there can be no doubt that the most recent advertisements in opposition to Prop 2 establish a new low for political slime. They are disgraceful and cowardly. To even suggest that sex offenders would be allowed in our schools, and to imply that this action would be accepted by unions and teachers, is disgusting.
Pedophiles will not be allowed in the classroom, despite the slanderous claims to the contrary. Schools will continue to require that background checks be done on prospective employees and volunteers, regardless of the outcome of the election.
It is obvious that the front group for those opposing Prop 2, the Citizens for Protecting Michigan's Constitution, has decided that since they are not able to debate the issue of collective bargaining on it's merits, they will instead crawl into the gutter. These cowards not only debase the discussion, but also refuse to reveal the source of their funding.
Some will suggest that both sides are guilty of mud-slinging. This false equivalence is simply not true. Nothing put forward by those in favor of Proposal 2 has come close to the sleazy demagogic fear-mongering of the opponents of Prop 2.
As a school administrator, I belong to organizations that would like to weaken the power of teacher unions. Although I am a ardent supporter of unions and Prop 2, and thus decidedly in the minority among administrators, I do understand their position. I have no problem with discussing and debating the issue of collective bargaining and whether or not it needs to be protected by inclusion into the State Constitution.
I am, however, very troubled by the fact that there has been no comment by organizations representing school administrators and school boards regarding the cowardly and disgusting ads in opposition to Prop 2. I hope that they will have the courage to not only disassociate themselves from these ads, but also to condemn them in no uncertain terms.
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