MNEA recommendations
help members cut to the issues that count

Nobody likes politics. Yet we can’t avoid them. We’re being bombarded by election coverage and campaign ads on television and in print. We don’t need to be reminded that Nov. 2 is Election Day. No, we can’t escape politics, and isn’t that wonderful? We are able to express our opinions and vote on Election Day.

MNEA and NEA often get criticized for their involvement in politics, particularly for recommending candidates. I would contend that making candidate recommendations is one of the greatest services our Associations provide our members—students, active and retired! The MNEA and NEA recommendation simply means that the candidate cared enough about our support to complete the process and is supportive on issues important to our members.

Frosty Troy, editor of the Oklahoma Observer, is fond of saying, “Every education decision is a political decision.” When we retire, we might well add to that: “Every decision affecting seniors and retirees is a political decision.” The Social Security Fairness Act, with more than 300 sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives—far more than the 232 needed for a majority—is an excellent example. Social Security, prescription drug coverage, pensions and health care are all issues resolved (or not) through legislation and policy decided in a political arena.

As a retired educator, I care about public education because I believe that all children are entitled to a quality education. As a retiree, I am concerned about health care, pension benefits and Social Security. The MNEA and NEA recommendations offer me a tool for evaluating candidates that is more reliable than what can be learned from campaign rhetoric or media election hype. I thank the MNEA members who volunteered the time and effort to personally meet with candidates to help me make an informed decision.

We are all part of many groups with many different priorities. No one can presume to tell you how to vote. We can urge you to be an informed voter, to know where the candidates stand on the issues that are important to you and to vote Nov. 2!

GPO/WEP Update
More than 60 Missouri NEA active and retired delegates to the NEA Convention in Washington, D.C., visited every Missouri Congressional office to lobby for the recently introduced Public Servant Retirement Protection Act (HR4391/SB2455.) This compromise bill would reduce the impact of the Windfall Elimination Provision. It does not address the Government Pension Offset. NEA is supporting this legislation as a first step toward full repeal. More information and a template for calculating the new benefit under this bill is available on the NEA Web site: www.nea.org. Click on “Legislative Action Center,” then on “Social Security.”

by Martha Karlovetz
NEA-Retired President