I [Sid Kardon] was part of the MEA statewide screening committee that met with Democratic candidate Virg Bernero and Republican candidate Rick Snyder. Bernero impressed our committee with his understanding of the challenges faced by public school students and teachers. He talked knowledgeably about the limitations of high stakes testing, difficulties faced by at-risk students, and the value of services such as social work. Mayor Bernero’s sound understanding of public schools is due in large part to his wife, Terry, who is an elementary principal in the Lansing School District. This has resulted in a great opportunity for us to elect a governor who understands the pragmatic challenges that we face daily in our goal of providing a great education for our students. Beyond pragmatics, Bernero understands that without full funding of public education we can never achieve those goals. He believes that a fully funded public school education for all children is a right, not a privilege.
In sharp contrast to Mayor Bernero, Rick Snyder did not demonstrate an in depth knowledge of schools. His primary political philosophy can be categorized as Reagonomics. Snyder’s philosophy is to cut taxes which will adversely impact our jobs. He also believes in privatizing public school jobs, eliminating our defined benefit pension, and sharply reducing health benefits. As an officer at Gateway Corporation he shipped Michigan jobs to China, hurting Michigan citizens in order to advance the interests of Gateway.