Chris Christie Tries to Punch his Way into the Oval Office
Presidential hopeful and notorious hothead Gov. Chris Christie once again let his true colors of red shine vividly earlier this week as he told a reporter that teachers unions deserve a punch in the face. If he was hoping to snag the 2016 campaign’s Miss Congeniality award, he clearly has a long way to go.
Claiming that teachers unions are “the single most destructive force in public education in America,” Christie used his CNN State of the Union interview to launch an attack on those who devote their lives to educating this country’s children. And this is not the first time.
In November 2013, the rash governor of New Jersey responded to a teacher’s question at a town hall and rally by yelling, “I am tired of you people. What do you want?”
That someone who wants to be the leader of the nation resorts to violent rhetoric when confronted with questions about reasonable topics such as public education should frighten voters. His behavior raises serious concerns about his ability to negotiate with adversaries and forestall war. His bellicosity is the opposite of the reasonable discourse that kindergarten instructors try to teach their young students.
But wait—this type of education is exactly what Christie is attempting to demean and diminish. Since taking office in 2010, the governor has cut $1 billion in education funding and has no qualms about making teachers, mostly women, his personal public punching bags.
Degrading educators does nothing to improve schooling. Stripping away funding won’t do it, either. Promoting a culture of violence, even metaphorically, against hard working teachers doing all they can to meet students’ needs should result in Christie getting an expulsion from public office, not a promotion to the Oval Office.
So as far as who is “the single most destructive force in public education in America,” maybe it’s time for Christie to take a look in the mirror and put down his gloves.
***
Photo from Eugene Smith on Flickr.
***
To submit a blog to Union Matters, e-mail it to bstack@usw.org. Keep it to 250 words or fewer. You MUST include your full name, hometown, and state. You may attach a photograph of yourself. Please include a phone number. This WILL NOT be published. Posting any given blog is within the discretion of the USW. No blog using foul language (this is a family site), false information (we don’t want to get sued), or unnecessary personal attacks (again, we don’t want to get sued) will be used. Wait a reasonable period of time, then blog again!
