Wendy, Joe, Fred, et al.:

I think we've all agreed that none of us like teacher strikes, right? I think it's time at least this forum moved forward and started generating some ideas instead of continuing the endless bickering that we're all guilty of getting sucked into.

Wendy, I think we found some common ground earlier. Do you still believe that the best first step is simply prohibiting teacher strikes? Or would you favor more comprehensive reform of the sort I've suggested previously? Or perhaps a third option?

Personally, I'm afraid to outlaw strikes, with no other changes, because I don't want to see teachers lose their entire bargaining position. If we remove that right, we've got to either provide another form of leverage at negotiations, or at the very least enact larger reform to prevent rural, poorer districts from simply deciding to pay minimum wage (hyberbole)to teachers and destroying our kids' educational opportunities in the process.