AAEA Campaign 2006

Colleagues in Education,

This is it, our big opportunity. It's time to spend our PAC dollars. November 7th will shape the future of Michigan's schools and economy for the next decade. We've been seeing our students short changed, shouldering the extra work brought on by budget cuts, giving the mandated tests, having our "criminal" records scrutinized, and listening to talk of "failing schools" long enough. In the upcoming weeks we will turn the tide. This is not business as usual; this is the political battle we've been waiting for. AAEA is focusing on three issues: Proposition 5 (vote YES to cut AAPS budget deficits in HALF!), Proposition 2 (vote NO to preserve affirmative action), and Gov. Granholm (we must DeFeat DeVos, see the story below).

Here is how you can do your part:

1) Pledge to spend just two hours in the coming weeks on one of the three issues above. Two hours over the course of seven weeks is reasonable. Each of us is counting on each of us to chip in. Our numbers are our only super power, and we count ourselves one member at a time. It's time to flex our muscles, folks. Stand up and be counted. Only two hours!

2) Pink "Campaign 2006" info sheets and Proposition 5 yard signs were distributed to buildings earlier this week. If you did not get one of each, please see your building rep. Please ask for extra yard signs for family and neighbors! Tell people about how budget cuts have affected you and your students! Our personal stories are the best campaign ads!

3) Bookmark this www.annarborea.org site and visit each weekend for updates. When an issue requires immediate attention, I'll send out an Election Alert via AAPS email with a link to this site.

4) We will have a Proposition 5 info table at Farmers Market every Saturday from 9/30 through 11/4. Two shifts per day, 8-10 or 10-12. We'll hand out flyers, distribute yard signs, chat and enjoy the market atmosphere. It's fun, easy, laid back. As an educator, you already are a Prop 5 expert, but I'll provide talking points and support as well. Email me to grab a shift! Bring a buddy!

5) Call 622-8190 and ask for Brandon to work for the Granholm campaign. He has a menu of volunteer jobs to choose from. Make sure to tell him you are from the AAEA! We already know that DeVos wants to privatize education (classes as well as support services), cut our health and retirement benefits, and allow intelligent design into our science curricula, but check this out...

Have you seen the recent Amway commercial on TV? The one about Amway being a comfy cozy place to work... mom, apple pie and cleaning products? It makes you just wanna, well, vomit and then clean something. Anyway, the woman who worked as Amway's PR Dept. librarian was recently laid off. She was immediately rehired by a private subcontractor and returned to her Amway job. Same position, same work, but at 2/3 the pay and with no benefits. While working for the subcontractor, she was required to assemble the video and pictures for the TV commercial. When the commercial was finished, the subcontractor laid her off. No small tragic irony, eh? I hope to see this woman in a Granholm TV ad. Gee, I just can't wait until Attila DeVos is at the helm of our state's educational system!!! Maybe we'll get to make a commercial about the jobs we're about to lose before he lays us off!!! Please call the local Granholm office and ask Brandon what work needs to be done to support the Gover
nor, OK?

Keep an eye out for Election Alerts on your AAPS email. We have some cool things planned with Balas and our parent groups in the weeks ahead! Proposition 5 Q&A's and talking points will soon be posted here on our site, but you can also go to www.michigank16.org to learn more about Proposition 5. Be forewarned... once you learn how education has been short changed in the last decade, you might get a bit worked up. Use that anger constructively, folks... funnel it into this election.

Please call or email me with questions, comments and suggestions. Let's enjoy our efforts in the weeks ahead, then celebrate like crazy on November 8th, OK? Thanks!

"If not me, who? If not now, when?" (ancient Hebrew adage)

Brit Satchwell
AAEA PacMan
669-9467
tenureme@comcast.net