WHERE WILL THE TEACHERS GO?

According to Luisa D'Amato in yesterday's Waterloo Region Record, the Teachers' Unions are abandoning the liberal party in droves. This is hardly surprising as they are known for overeacting to the slightest criticism or failure to support them unquestioningly. It's also hardly surprising as the Liberals, perhaps deep in their hearts, knew the teachers were fair weather friends only. Regardless of the motivation, Bill 115 may be effective in keeping teachers in the classroom but it's also a surefire way to lose their support at the polls. That is with the exception of the Catholic teachers who Luisa suggests have a better understanding of the financial difficulties facing most Ontarians.

All in all it's not a good scene. Luisa suggests that if the striking teachers (especially the elementary ones) don't smarten up quickly they will drive the long sufferring public into the arms of the Mongol hordes aka Hudak & the Conservatives. Luisa suggest this happened before and the teachers sure as heck didn't much care for Mike Harris. This indeed would be counterproductive to the Teachers cause of constantly improving their financial bottomline while ignoring the realities all around them. There is however another option and a very viable one at that. Really what party other than the NDP should be the natural home for a strong union? This of course will please the NDP unless the teachers do exactly as Luisa is suggesting. Wouldn't it just be hilarious if the Teachers misbehaviour and acting out teed off the rest of the electorate to the point that the NDP said no thanks to any offer from the Teachers Unions to join forces? Now that would be funny if the Teachers Unions went too far, to the point that no political party wanted their support.