Mugged by reality

While frustrating, the fact that this drama is playing out again and again is a sign of progress I suppose...

---------------

Mugged by reality

Progressive L.A. mayor bedeviled by unions

March 6, 2006, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE EDITORIAL

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/op-ed/editorial2/20060306-9999-mz1ed6bottom.html

A fascinating and instructive saga is now playing out at Los Angeles City Hall. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa - a progressive Democrat who once worked as a teachers union organizer - is being forced to confront some unpleasant truths about the public employee unions that are his party's most loyal and influential supporters.

Truth No. 1 is the implacable hostility of teachers unions to doing anything that would upset the discredited education status quo.

Villaraigosa thinks many schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District are doing a disgraceful job, especially with minority students, and wants to become the latest big-city mayor to take control of schools and force through reforms. He is far from alone in thinking such a change is essential. After Villaraigosa took office in July, Sen. Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, introduced a bill to facilitate a mayoral takeover. Assembly Speaker Fabian NÚñez, D-Los Angeles, said in a phone interview last month that he would support Villaraigosa's push.

But will the mayor get anywhere? Not if United Teachers Los Angeles and their toadies on the school board have anything to say about it...