A reader sent along a story that the California teachers’ pension fund, the second largest in the nation, has decided to divest from corporations that manufactures weapons.
That’s a good start. Now how about divesting in Walmart, which is the biggest retail outlet for assault weapons like the one used in the Newtown massacre? Another reason to divest in Walmart is that the Walton family is one of the biggest sponsors of vouchers and charters–all non-union–of course. Why should teachers invest in corporations that want to cut their pay, eliminate their job security, tie their profession to unreliable test scores, and break their union (if they have one)?
Teachers often act powerless but in fact their pension funds wield a lot of power in the marketplace. Others use their economic power to attack public education. Why shouldn’t teachers and administrators use their economic power to defend this citadel of democracy?
The reader asked the following question:
Yes, yes, yes. Boycott Walmart, Amazon, Netflix.
I canceled my subscription to the NY Times. I will avoid Microsoft products. I closed my account after twenty years at Webster Bank in CT due to a VP who regularly insulted teachers on a local education blog; his wife is the co-CEO of a charter chain.
I am pulling back from NBC, local and cable, due to their education corporate nation bull$$it.
They want parents to have choices. Well, middle class teachers have choices, too and I prefer to spend my money wisely and elsewhere.
Let’s create a list.
At this rate, you’ll be sitting alone in a dark yurt before long!
I know…in a closet with a book. I am by the fire (wood from my trees) right now, but I am so happy and guilt free.
Yep, got rid of my satelite TV service when the youngest went off to college. I do sit, not quite alone, as my loyal choco-lab is here with me along with my Maine coon cat and many times just try to enjoy the woods. And yes I’m out in the boonies and glad to be here to be able to sit on the back porch and enjoy ol mother nature to my hearts content.
There’s a pond on my neighbor’s land that I’m allowed to fish so today, my son and I enjoyed a fresh bass fish (caught em yesterday) fry with sweet potato chips (English chips). Doesn’t get much better, especially after having my daughter come out from St. Louis this morning for her favorite brunch of Eggs Benedict-she says that I make the best Hollandaise sauce there is, even better than my oldest son’s who is a chef.
Off topic but squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon with three egg yolks, whisk until completely incorporated. Put on low to low medium heat, and slowly melt in 1/2 stick of butter stirring constantly with a small whisk until the mixture starts to thicken, not letting the pan get much hotter than being able to lightly touch the sides. Add another 1/2 stick of butter (the real thing of course) and slowly stir in until incorporated. One has to “go slow” to make this work. This version works great on fish also.
So, Alan, maybe there is more to life than you can imagine in the simplicity of a dark yurt (and I think my “mobile” home-thank you banksters for raping the economics of this country-qualifies as a modern yurt-ha ha)!!
Careful taking the top predictor out of the pond or you will end up a bunch of stunted bluegill.
Curse you autocorrect. Predator, not predictor.
TE,
We practice a slot limit, keeping those 9-12 and throwing the rest back.
Put JC Penny on the list for their support for TFA.
And J Crew, too!
Also, don’t shop Overstock.com. Their owner was a major funder for the voucher supporters in Utah, which fortunately failed.
Money talks.
Teacher and public employee pension funds also invest in private equity funds, some of which are also vehicles for privatizing the schools.
If the economy of this nation is to ever be turned around so that it serves the people, worker involvement in pension fund investments will be crucial. As of now, the funds we depend upon for a secure retirement are investing with the same people who’ve hollowed out the economy and given us rampant economic inequality.
I’m afraid that if we divest in companies that love this method of education “reform,” there won’t be any companies in which to invest.
Invest in natural resources. I’m looking for water and natural gas funds.
I hear ya Teacher111. We need one web site that lists both Teacher-Friendly companies and Teacher-Unfriendly companies, and why each company is listed where it is. In fact, couldn’t one of the national teacher unions do this?
A good idea in theory, except often teachers have little control over their pension funds and where they are invested. Remember, when Chris Whittle’s Edison Schools was falling to penny stock level and about to be delisted by NASDAC it was propped up by a major purchase by the pension fund of the Florida teachers – ordered by Governor Jeb Bush.
It’s time to divest in Corporate Reformer Companies too!
Pension funds are the big banana on Wall Street. They really hold the power if they wielded it.
FINALLY at least CORPORATIONS are taking on the dreaded teach unions. SOMEONE had to do it …
One note Sally…give it up. It doesn’t even make sense. Aren’t you bored with yourself?
Because the teachers’ unions are SO much more powerful than these enormous corporations???!! Please!
Time to Divest is actually a very interesting and good idea. The only way to really communicate with big money corporations and make statement, is with money. I hope New Jersey AFT and NJEA think about that. Conservative as I am, I really believe that money talks, and unfortunately for many like me, talk walks. 🙂