While I disagree with the statements of the AFT, I also want to thank them. I appreciate their efforts to safeguard the pensions of teachers and other public servants across America. As a nation, we are united in service to our country, as well as in gratitude to the many who sacrifice and serve for the benefit of all of us, including our teachers. We know that by understanding each other, we are best positioned to achieve our common goals. Like the AFT, I am committed to fairness, democracy, economic opportunity, and high-quality education, healthcare, and public services for our students. Should the AFT ever want to have a conversation with me, I promise to approach the discussion with an open heart and mind. My request is that the AFT also do the same and promise to open their hearts and minds to me. Perhaps, if we listen to each other with compassion and our mutual love of America, we can understand each other better. I also believe that understanding each other is the first critical step to finding solutions to the important problems that face our country today.
I hope this is a moment where our compassion can be stronger than our anger.
Finally, I am deeply grateful for the support we received from teams across the government. Their dedication and patriotism will always inspire us. It was a great privilege to serve alongside them as we worked to strengthen our nation for all Americans. As I have under both Republican and Democratic administrations, serving my country when called upon will always be an honor.
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More on Gracias.
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Madison taxpayers have long supported far above average (now > $25,000 per student) K-12 tax & spending practices. This, despite long term, disastrous reading results.
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“An emphasis on adult employment”
Wisconsin Public Policy Forum Madison School District Report[PDF]
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