Oakland Teachers Will Lose

The Oakland Teachers are fighting a loosing battle. They are fighting an absolutely corrupt regime that will do anything to win. It is not just Randall Ward who is corrupt. It is the democratic political organization as well. The Don Peratas (absolutely corrupt), the Jerry Browns (absolutely corrupt), the Jack O’Connells (absolutely corrupt) and the Arnold Schwarzenaggers (absolutely corrupt.) There is an agenda that powerful financial and political interests have – and it appears to be the destruction of the public education system. The teacher’s have become a scapegoat in all of this. Did the teacher’s control the purse strings, set the budgets and administer the finances that got Oakland’s schools in trouble? No.

My question: How many democratic politicians in the East Bay or in the state are backing the teachers union in this struggle? How many have called for the removal of Randall Ward? Please answer that? There will be the answer.

From everything that Randall Ward has done, it would appear that he has no respect for the teachers and their union. A strike will be an opportunity for this dictator to display his power even more. Another opportunity to show the community and teachers how powerless they are against him and his powerful backers. This is not about cooperation, respect or the betterment of the schools or community. If it was, teachers might expect a reasonable, responsible approach that showed respect for all involved. That is not what is happening. This is about power.

To win, the unions and teachers need the support of others. Apparently, they will not get it from any established political group except maybe the Green Party. Will Ron Dellums do something for the teachers? He is a possible avenue for the union if it wants to breakdown some of the power structure. He may not. Where does he stand? What about Barbara Lee?

Forgetting the politicians, the teachers really need the community. They need the parents, students , former students, ministers and churches. The people on the street. The only way to win…..in a strike…is a strike not only by the teachers, but of the parents and the students…a strike…not for more money or benefits…but for a change in the control…..for the removal of the dictator and putting back in place an administrative structure from the community…..the locally elected school board. People who live in the community and respect the community. Not a power mad, megolamaniac forced upon the city and its schools. if the teachers can get the people behind them. If the parents and students refuse to cooperate with Ward and the state by taking their kids out of the schools for a period…then they can win. But you need places for the kids to go and the teachers to teach? Churches maybe?

The truth is the teachers will never win with Ward in place. That should be the main objective of a strike: to remove Ward. He has shown over and over again that he is not about respect or negotiation. He is about bullying and demeaning. He is about getting his way and it is a one way street with him. Only when you can negotiate with a group or person of reason who respects all sides can everyone win. The only objective of a strike must be: remove Ward, remove the state. Then you can negotiate.