RANDOM DRUG-TESTING AN INVASION OF PRIVACY

In her current contract offer to the public school teachers of
Hawaii, Gov. Linda Lingle is requiring that all public school
teachers submit to random drug testing in exchange for a pay increase.

First of all, there is no epidemic of public school teachers using or
selling illegal drugs. Period. The thought of any state worker
interacting with children while under the influence of drugs or
alcohol is abhorrent to any sane person.

If we assume that there is a small fraction of all state workers
using or promoting the sale of illegal drugs, then why is Gov. Lingle
singling out Hawaii's public school teachers for mandatory random drug testing?

If the public school teachers of Hawaii ratify the contract as it
stands, they will gain a temporary monetary reward and in return will
give up a priceless commodity, their Fourth Amendment, Bill of Rights
constitutional protection from unreasonable search and seizure.

Gov. Lingle's contract offer to the public school teachers of Hawaii
is typical of the Bush/Rove style of conservative Republican politics
that she endorses. If she really cared about weeding out drug users
from state jobs, she could easily do so with the processes currently
in place, but since the media loves scandal, Gov. Lingle is using
this teacher contract to force teachers to wear the scarlet "D."

Teachers, wake up, don't ratify.

Bob Underwood

Kaunakakai