Teach In!

Kent State University at Stark Campus

Senate Bill 5: Background and Implications

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

Open to faculty, students, and the community

Room 007, Library (basement):

10:30-11:130 Mike Piotrowksi (General Counsel, Fraternal Order of Police / Ohio Labor Council)

A session related to the impact of SB 5 on police

11:30-12:15 Zach Schiller (Sociology/Stark)

“Thinking Sociologically about SB 5 and the Budget Crisis”

12:30-1:30 Deb Smith, Philosophy/Kent Campus and AAUP-KSU Grievance Chair

"The implications of Senate Bill 5 on collective bargaining at Kent State University."

Room 007, Library (basement):

2:00-3:30 National Teach-In with Cornell West and Frances Fox Piven

Live via webcast from Judson Memorial Church, New York City

3:30-4:30 Post Teach-In discussion (Andrea Adolph, Zach Schiller, Carey McDougall)

Smell that smell...

I hear politicians and commentators talking about how great Senate Bill 5 is for Ohio, but a grab for political power sometimes just stinks to high heaven. It is no coincidence that Senate Bill 5 would prove to have enormous benefit for the Republican Party; undermine the unions and the republicans have neutralized a formidable political opponent. Sure you can keep saying how beneficial Senate Bill 5 is for all Ohioans, but it doesn’t take much insight to see who really benefits from Senate Bill 5 is the right wing of the Republican Party.

I have voted republican in national, state, and local elections and, thus, I have nothing against the Republican Party. What I have a problem with is somebody trying to make a case for a proposal that is so blatantly politically motivated and, not to mention, hurting a lot of honest, hardworking people along the way. Whatever happened to all this job creation that was promised by the Governor in his campaign adds? I would more enthusiastic about Governor Kasich if he would have began his first few weeks in office focusing on job creation, rather than job destruction. (See video below.) As far as I can tell Governor Kasich has no love for unions…especially the teacher unions. (See video below.) Senate Bill 5 just plain stinks…it stinks of political self interest and political payback.

Plunderbund video comparing Kasich campaign to reality. Be sure to read the text in the video.

Governor Kasich video on teachers. I heard this was made by a high school student.

Disrespecting those most deserving of respect

Who do you respect?

Few times in our nation’s recent history have we seen such a blatant grab for political power and an utter disregard for how political decisions by the “few” are going to play out in the lives of the “many.” I am a college professor and last Tuesday I had the honor of protesting at the State House with, for the most part, firefighters. It was a very emotional experience for me, as these firefighters have a job that involves risking their lives for my family and me. However, these same firefighters are being treated with complete disrespect by Governor Kasich and his band of politicians who are supporting the power grab inherent in Senate Bill 5.

By Governor Kasich not even having the courtesy to ask for opinions or input from firefighters, Governor Kasich has disrespected these individuals. Governor Kasich, I would urge you to talk with the firefighters, as I did on Tuesday. It will become quite clear to you that that they are intelligent, brave, hardworking people. They deserve to have a say in their future and the future of their families.

Now it is one thing to make cuts in economic support for a profession, it is quite a different matter to try and take away the dignity of those in a profession. What has really struck me is the extent to which Senate Bill 5 has made people feel a sense of worthlessness; so many people I speak with feel that they have been singled out as scapegoats and that their work is not valued. One of the protests signs carried by a demonstrator stated “2001 heroes, 2011 zeros”....we’ve come a long way since 9/11.

Well my friends I am afraid we are in for a fight, and it’s time to bring back that feeling of honor and respect we once had for police and firefighters after 9/11. What really comforted me after that terrible event was the Who playing “We won’t get fooled again” at the concert for New York City. I remember Pete Townsend bowing to the firefighters and police officers in the audience and saying, “It is an honor to play for you this evening.” It would be best for the Governor and those politicians who have aligned themselves with him to take notice that we won’t get fooled again and in the Governor’s own words, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”

The Who playing “We won’t get fooled again” at the concert for New York City.

(More info on the true political motives behind Senate Bill 5 is here.)