Here's a poignant letter by an intellectually honest genuine Conservative who encourages voters not to vote for generic Conservatives into political office. Although Professor Reel is a Californian Republican, his observations in general are relevant for voters in other states. When he identifies specific Republican candidates, you can fill in Republican and/or Tea Party candidates with parallel views for your particular state.
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Dear CTA Republicans,
As an educator and a Republican, I am torn between voting for Republican candidates, or voting for what, in my heart, I know is best. Being a college debate coach, I decided to see how both candidates for governor compare regarding my concerns.
My first concern is funding for education.
My fellow Republican Meg Whitman wants to cut $15 billion from the state budget. The end result of this would be to cut an additional $7 billion from our schools and colleges. She also supports eliminating anti-poverty programs. My parents were **** workers. I am the only member of my ****** of 11 brothers and sisters to earn any college degrees. I am a living example of how education can make a difference in taking a person out of the fields and providing him the opportunity to teach and change the lives of others. As governor, Jerry Brown doubled state funding for higher education. I was able to benefit from such funding and received a complete textbook and tuition scholarship while earning my bachelor’s degree. Jerry Brown continues to support public education and he supports Proposition 98, the law that guarantees a minimum funding level for schools, including community colleges.
My second concern is secure retirement.
I am 60 years old. I find myself being part of that group of society I once considered old, even though I have heard that 60 is the new 40. Meg Whitman supports converting secure defined benefit pension plans to 401(k)s for new public employees. I don’t want to see our new employees having a different and inferior retirement program placed upon them. Jerry Brown opposes converting CalSTRS and CalPERS retirement systems from secure plans to risky 401(k) contribution plans
My final concern is employee rights.
I believe in the rights of employees. I believe the union has been responsible for my pay and working conditions. My collective bargaining contract at my college is a reflection of how my colleagues and I have risen to face the challenges of work-related issues. Our union looks out after the interest of faculty members and students statewide. Meg Whitman wants to limit union participation in the political process. This hurts me and it hurts my colleagues. My union participation allows me to stand up to those that might hurt my profession and the students I support and love. Jerry Brown signed the first collective bargaining bill in California’s history and continues to support workers rights.
So, as a California Republican, I must vote for what is best for me, my students, my profession, and my state. That’s why I will vote for Jerry Brown for governor.
Sincerely,
Ron Norton Reel
President, Community College Association/CTA
Professor of Communications, Mt. San Antonio College
Premium Link Upgrade
Dear CTA Republicans,
As an educator and a Republican, I am torn between voting for Republican candidates, or voting for what, in my heart, I know is best. Being a college debate coach, I decided to see how both candidates for governor compare regarding my concerns.
My first concern is funding for education.
My fellow Republican Meg Whitman wants to cut $15 billion from the state budget. The end result of this would be to cut an additional $7 billion from our schools and colleges. She also supports eliminating anti-poverty programs. My parents were **** workers. I am the only member of my ****** of 11 brothers and sisters to earn any college degrees. I am a living example of how education can make a difference in taking a person out of the fields and providing him the opportunity to teach and change the lives of others. As governor, Jerry Brown doubled state funding for higher education. I was able to benefit from such funding and received a complete textbook and tuition scholarship while earning my bachelor’s degree. Jerry Brown continues to support public education and he supports Proposition 98, the law that guarantees a minimum funding level for schools, including community colleges.
My second concern is secure retirement.
I am 60 years old. I find myself being part of that group of society I once considered old, even though I have heard that 60 is the new 40. Meg Whitman supports converting secure defined benefit pension plans to 401(k)s for new public employees. I don’t want to see our new employees having a different and inferior retirement program placed upon them. Jerry Brown opposes converting CalSTRS and CalPERS retirement systems from secure plans to risky 401(k) contribution plans
My final concern is employee rights.
I believe in the rights of employees. I believe the union has been responsible for my pay and working conditions. My collective bargaining contract at my college is a reflection of how my colleagues and I have risen to face the challenges of work-related issues. Our union looks out after the interest of faculty members and students statewide. Meg Whitman wants to limit union participation in the political process. This hurts me and it hurts my colleagues. My union participation allows me to stand up to those that might hurt my profession and the students I support and love. Jerry Brown signed the first collective bargaining bill in California’s history and continues to support workers rights.
So, as a California Republican, I must vote for what is best for me, my students, my profession, and my state. That’s why I will vote for Jerry Brown for governor.
Sincerely,
Ron Norton Reel
President, Community College Association/CTA
Professor of Communications, Mt. San Antonio College
