By Matthew Hayward  Disclaimer: This blog is dystopian fiction based on my interpretation of listening to current radio and news media. Triumph in the East: The Eastern Phoenix Rises Against the Iron Bear. Good citizens of Oceania, rejoice in the news of our Eastern Phoenix allies' valiant efforts against the Eurasian invaders! The Iron Bear is being smashed, its ferocious claws blunted by the indomitable spirit of the freedom-loving people of the Eastern Phoenix. As the sun rose this morning, our reporters on the ground could hardly contain their joy as they relayed the news of yet another glorious victory by the Eastern Phoenix. The determined forces of the Eastern Phoenix, backed by the unwavering support of Oceania, have dealt a crushing blow to the Russian war machine, liberating the city of Kharkiv from the grip of the Eurasian oppressors. Our brave comrades in the Eastern Phoenix have demonstrated their tactical prowess on the battlefield and their unyielding commitment to t...

By Matthew Hayward To paraphrase George Orwell, “All unionized teachers are equal; it’s just that some are more equal than others.” Once upon a time, teachers’ unions were established with the noble goal of protecting the rights of educators by advocating for higher pay and working conditions. The sales pitch also included heartfelt assurances that improved compensation for teachers would attract better-qualified candidates and produce better education outcomes. Over time, the unintended consequence for teachers is that, as the union grows, it becomes less transparent and less responsive to its members. Unions in general, and teachers’ unions in particular, eventually become more concerned with their own self-preservation and the accumulation of power than the well-being of their members, let alone satisfying students or their parents. And some teachers have become more equal than others. Union leaders often use their influence to protect the interests of veteran teachers who’ve been r...