This is the same Karen Lewis:
This is hardly the first time Lewis, top union representative for one of the largest public-school systems in America, has made some controversial comments. At a 2011 union conference, she boasted having “spent [her college] years smoking lots of weed,” derided education secretary Arne Duncan for having a “lisp,” accused the Chicago Tribune of running a racist caricature of her, and explained how her husband, an “old-school brotha” often expresses a desire to “beat up” union opponents, but “can’t go to jail” because she’s “too fat to go” join him there.
In her latest diatribe, she makes great pains to use the old, tired rhetoric that utilizes the phrase, "us vs. them" while speaking about "the rich." I guess in her mind democrats and other socialist/far left wingers who support her are actually poor?
She seems to suggest that lethal working conditions include not having air conditioning. I'm not sure how a classroom not having air conditioning is equivalent to a lethal working environment. It should be noted that she also does not offer any other examples of these supposed "lethal working conditions."
The rest of this speech is equally silly and certainly only intended to insight anger and create division. If she wants to know why there are less jobs, perhaps she should question the democrat party who have been active the last 30 years in creating the most restrictive environments that impede growth. Unions specifically have stifled many opportunities in both the private and public sector. Teachers unions have done the most damage by demanding more pay, more benefits, increased job security, and no requirements to prove their abilities. The people who suffer are the children who are being forced to attend public schools.
As Ms. Lewis carries on with her speech she makes it a point to divide people further and comes across rather insulting by insinuating that our culture is foolish since many believe that anyone can be rich. She asks the audience who played the power ball because in her mind getting rich realistically can only come from a streak of luck attached to a windfall of money that is not earned. Rather than realistically pointing out that hard work and determination are the only ways to truly achieve wealth, she focuses only on the "get rich quick" method. Perhaps some people will never get rich by any method. This is very true, but being wealthy, happy, and leading a fulfilling life does not automatically mean a person must have ridiculous amounts of money. In fact the word success is merely a person's interpretation of what it means to be successful. A person can have a small house, a decent car, lots of time with their children, basic needs, and be considered a success.
The left wing's fascination with money and their ever increasing desire to separate people by classes using the "us vs. them" hyperbole is rather disturbing to say the least. There is no inspiration here. Rather Ms. Lewis and many far-lefties are much more interested in angering people. Instead of encouraging her audience to break free from envy and supporting the idea of freedom by becoming self-reliant, she actually wants people to see themselves as victims who are oppressed; they should demand more from others who theoretically have more, in this case, money.
In Ms. Lewis' case, it doesn't appear that she is lacking when it comes to taking home pay on the taxpayer's back:
In 2010, Lewis defeated Marilyn Stewart, vaulting from the rank and file to union president.
Teachers union officials declined to provide information on Lewis' salary. But Stewart made $211,119 in 2009, her final full year in office. Lewis took over as president for part of 2010, and was paid $71,330 by the teachers union that year, records indicate.
Lewis also is eligible for compensation from the Illinois Federation of Teachers, and in 2011 she was paid $64,157 by that group, records indicate.It is absolute hypocrisy for her to suggest that if a person works hard they will not be able to make headway in their financial success considering what her own salary is. Maybe she does not consider 71k to 100k to be a lot of money? I can name about 30 people off the top of my head, including myself, that do and I'm willing to bet that we aren't the only ones.
Considering the various comments about her on YouTube and news sites along with blogs, I am equally tempted to point out this woman's incredibly large size. I've been trying my best to work on not insulting people based on physical appearance. Ultimately it is juvenile and can be somewhat pointless but, I believe in this case it is fair to point out that Ms. Lewis does not seem to demonstrate the ability to exercise self control. Clearly we can see this through both her excessive weight as well as listening to her words as she speaks. Ultimately this is a woman who expects others to exercise their control while she herself can wallow in excess.
The taxpayers, the ones who make money, the ones who create jobs, the people who create wealth, the ones who are taxed the most are those that are paying this woman's salary. She clearly fails to understand that without the success of others she would be nowhere and without any benefit. Her and those that support her need to be reminded that "us and them" make up "WE" and that we are not against each other but a part of one another. One person's success is a success for all, not just an individual. Supporting freedom is ultimately what fosters the growth of individuals which in turn helps society as a whole. Trying to work against one another through hate and division is what hurts all of us.
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