This is a letter I submitted to neatoday. I am pretty sure that they won't print it, but I am frustrated enough to have tried. Let me know if you have ever run into a situation where you finally said "enough is enough". Thanks for indulging my rant.
Dear Editor:
In the past two weeks I have received three glossy, full-color, multi-page advertisements urging me to vote for Barak Obama. Upon opening the September issue of neatoday, I discovered four full pages devoted to this candidate. (See pages 20-21, 32-33)
As a member of the NEA for the past eight years, I have tried to ignore the political aspect of the NEA. However, enough is enough. Not all of your members hold the same political viewpoint and to actively support one candidate shows bias and irresponsibility to the democratic ideals of America. Your magazine should highlight both candidates equally, with unbiased reporting. As educators, we encourage our students to look at differing viewpoints in all aspects of life. I feel that your magazine should model that ideal. On a personal level, as a teacher with a Masters degree, I am fully able to research each candidate/party and come to my own conclusions about whom I wish to support through my vote. Rather than pushing a particular candidate, why not simply urge your membership to become involved in the political process through voting or joining public office?
Not only is sending out expensive advertisements a waste of money, it is also environmentally unfriendly as the glossy ads end up in our landfills. I urge you to consider the demographic of your entire membership and to quit the political pandering to a certain group. We are in the business of educating all students of all races, religions, and backgrounds. I feel the NEA should reflect that ideal.
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