By Kyle Olson
EAGnews.org
    
LA CROSSE, Wisc. – Tracie Happel is one of many Wisconsin teachers who supports Gov. Scott Walker and wanted out of her union.
     
She plans to exercise her right to support Walker in today’s closely watched gubernatorial recall election. She’s already exercised her right to leave the Wisconsin Education Association Council, the state’s largest teachers union that’s been leading the effort to recall Walker.
     
Happel told the Fox & Friends national news show this morning that she received a form to rejoin the union at the beginning of the current school year, but there was no place to indicate a decision not to join. So she took a black marker and wrote “DECLINE” across it.  She said she showed it to her family and turned it into her district’s union representative.

     

     
“It was great to write it on there, it felt really good,” Happel told Fox & Friends host Gretchen Carlson.
     
Happel is one of thousands of Wisconsin public employees who have exercised their choice and dropped out of a government union.
     
EAGnews reported last week that AFSCME’s Wisconsin membership has dropped by two-thirds while Wisconsin’s American Federation of Teachers branch has declined by 35 percent. WEAC’s membership has likely fallen significantly, as well, judging by the number layoffs and budget cuts occurring at union headquarters.
     
Regardless of Scott Walker’s election fate, teachers and other public employees like Happel will continue to exercise their right to choice when it comes to union membership. That’s due to Act 10, Walker’s signature legislation that gives union members the opportunity to drop out on an annual basis.
     
That in itself is a victory for those who appreciate freedom over collectivism.