TEACHERS TRADED THEIR RIGHTS FOR MONEY

James Madison spoke these words to the Virginia Convention on June
16, 1788, during another ratification process. They're as relevant
today as they were back then: "I believe there are more instances of
the abridgement of the freedom of the people by the gradual and
silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations."

Well, with the ratification of this new contract, teachers have aided
and abetted these "gradual and silent encroachments by those in
power" and acquiesced in the circumscription of our own freedom. We
can blame our pusillanimous and feckless leadership for not nipping
this proposal in the bud during negotiations, but in the end it came
down to us, and a majority of us sold our souls for a few pieces of
silver. They chose short-term financial gain over our more
fundamental rights as teachers and citizens.

Believe me, this is just the beginning of the rights we'll be asked
to concede in the future.

Michael D. Clark

Honolulu