On the first day of my summer vacation...

So the National Education Association (www.nea.org) has decided to wage war against Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart bashing is clearly the "in thing" to do, so it just fits into place that the NEA would jump right in. You can read more about this campaign at http://www.nea.org/topics/walmart.html. Now I have no problem with an organization supporting a cause. I fully support people's First Amendment right to openly voice their opinions. I especially support this right when it is a view that I strongly oppose. The First Amendment was designed to protect speech that HAS opposing viewpoints. My problem with the NEA supporting this cause is the fact that they represent education in America and yet they insist on presenting a one-sided arguement. Instead of supporting education by presenting people with facts and facilitating an intellectual discussion, the NEA is indoctrining anti-capitalist dogma into the world of education. Here is a copy of the email that I sent to them. I sincerely hope that I hear something back:

Is the NEA trying to EDUCATE people about Wal-Mart or are they trying to INDOCTRINATE people about Wal-Mart? I think that the goal of education should be to create a society of free thinkers who are able to sort through facts and fictions and make their own judgements. It has been quite a challenge for me as an educator to attampt to deprogram students who come through my classroom looking for an education. Wal-Mart makes for an excellent case study in capitalism. Perhaps the NEA should consider taking a neutral stance on Wal-Marts activities and present both sides of the story. Education should be facilitated, not dictated.

I look forward to your reply and I thank you for your time.