Neshaminy Fireworks

From the BCCT.

It’s not ‘about the kids’ — it’s about greed

Were the leaders of the Neshaminy Education Association out getting venti mocha lattes when President Obama spoke about making sacrifices in difficult times? Does NEA president Louise Boyd’s stated unwillingness to communicate through the papers extend to simply not reading the papers?

In case this happens to catch Ms. Boyd’s eye, here’s what’s going on in today’s economy. People are losing jobs, losing investment valuation, even losing their homes. Those who still have work are forgoing raises or even accepting pay cuts, but ultimately are simply grateful to be employed.

For the NEA to be holding fast to demands for 6 percent pay raises and the archaic notion of ZERO contributions to health care is not just unrealistic. It is an absolute insult to all the taxpayers in the district who are pinching pennies wherever they can to make it through the current crisis, and paying for healthcare out of their own pockets.

It would seem that when the NEA says their action “is about the kids,” what they mean is that it is about THEIR kids. There seems to be little concern for the youngsters in the district whose families might be forced to make difficult financial sacrifices, or even move, because they can’t afford the higher taxes that would be mandated by the NEA proposal.

Congratulations to the Neshaminy school board for sticking to its guns. The sound financial discipline the board has shown on this issue is needed by taxpayers now, more than ever.

Paul Schneider Langhorne

------------------------------------------------------

Let them go on strike

Neshaminy teachers — you have to hand it to them. At least that’s what they want us to do. They are not lacking in intestinal fortitude, are they? Six percent (raises) a year and no medical insurance premiums?

At a time when many people are having their salaries frozen and medical insurance is going through the roof? Maybe it’s time to have them work a full year like the rest of us (they’re getting paid to do it) or it’s time to replace all 700. I am sure there are plenty of qualified applicants who would kill for those jobs.

Maybe these teachers have been out of the real world for so long that they have no grip on reality. When is the last time you had a 6 percent raise or didn’t have your medical insurance cost go up?

The country is in a financial mess and the teachers union is in a rush to put us over the edge. Could it be because as the salary for teachers increases the union dues go up?

The union leadership should wear masks when they negotiate and the school board needs to stick to its guns. Make them hit the bricks! People are fed up.

At a time when companies are laying off, freezing salaries and in some cases cutting salaries, maybe it’s time for the taxpayers to do the same.

Jim Anderson Middletown