Like you say, you're free to work elsewhere if you don't wish to 
participate. That *is* democratic. That's the only way a union can work 
successfully. If some are allowed to "opt out" of paying dues, they're 
freeloaders and they the rest of us. Affiliation with the MEA 
strengthens our position IMO. That said, I know Maurice from when he was 
our dept rep, and I know that he wants to improve communication 
with/among members. Given that he's been in his current position for a 
short time, I'm not surprised that he isn't yet where he wants to be.

Russ Somers wrote:
> One more thing, I am not trying to take ANYTHING away from those who are satisfied with the APA. I just dont like others views imposed on me. In 2008, it just seems backward that to work at a public university, I either join the union or simply look elsewhere for employment. 
>
> That doesn't seem democratic at all.
> -russ
>