Yeah Sure

I guess by now you know about the state of Wisconsin. It's deeply in debt and the new Governor (Walker) believes that one way to restructure his State's finances (for the long term) is to eliminate the public employee union's right to collectively bargain. Essentially saying to public employees, you'll get what we say we can pay you, have severely reduced retirement benefits and you don't get a say in it. The Democratic members of the Wisconsin Legislature have fled the scene rather than be a part of this action. Ammunition was found at two of the entrances to the State capitol this past week. They were hollow point bullits and the message seems to be, this will not go down well with someone (or someone(s)).

Here is my take on things. First of all Wisconsin is not alone. Most if not all States have financially melted down. The financial crisis began mid 2007 and within one year just about every State was in big trouble. California, I think, meets the definition (or close to it) of being bankrupt. Two major wars for 8-11 years, the home mortgage crash, and decades of entitlement spending, expanding (bloating) state and federal bureaucracies and in some states i;llegal immigration all burst the bubble Now it's time to pay the piper.

Some want the wealthiest americans to pony up more tax money, others argue that is bad for the economy, long term. Few politicians want to put an end to the many entitlement programs because that would piss off voters. Add to it the huge illegal immigrant problem that has grown in the last 15-20 years that no one will speak of. The latest estimate is at least 3,000 illegals every day come into this country. You think they aren't getting educations, visiting clinics and hospitals, evenytually get on welfare rolls ect. That is an enormous bill to taxpayers, but it's politically incorrect to even mention the amount of money spent on illegal immigrants.

I believe firefighters, cops, teachers, DMV workers, State social workers are NOT what is bankrupting this country or any individual State. Public employees by definition have always made less money than people in the private sector. The teacher working for 45K, if employed in the private sector might be making 70K. The deal was always this: as a state employee, you'll make less money monthly but we will make it up to you with decent benefits, a rock solid pension and job security. No one complained for decades about this arrangment. I mean 6 years ago virtually no one was calling for public employee unions to be dissolved.

What's happening is attention is being deflected from the real culprits of the fiancial crisis (bankers, mortgage lenders, and politicians) and put on public employees. Yeah sure! the evil empire is all about those overpaid, over pensioned teachers, firefighters and cops. That's right they are what's causing all the problems.

It's clear to me that when the shit hits the fan, politicians blame public employees for the problem and then ask them to sacrifice in order to solve the problem. In many California tesaching districts, teachers, have had to give up wages the last couple of years, and now Sacramento would just love to go after their pensions. I did 37 years in the profession and my pension will be 87% of my final monthly total. So after educating students for 37 years, and contributing 8% of my own monthly check into the pension system (which we are never allowed to take out or borrow against) I and others are made to feel like greedy bastards. I accepted the deal that I would get less up front but a better end game. I don't feel one ounce of guilt. I have done my part, as have other teachers, cops, firefighters, DMV workers etc.

Union representation strength in this country has shrunk. Less than 10% of the workers in this country even have unions. The unions are not the problem and should be left alone. Be glad you have teachers, firefighters, and cops. They dedicated their professional lives to serve you. Don't take away the retirement that you (through your elected representatives) offered them when they came into the profession. Not here (California), nor Wisconsin, nor anywhere else. I do feel bad that so many people are hurting financially. Most of us may have "felt" something was amiss but could not fully foresee the size of the collapse. My family, for instance, has really been hit hard with job losses and underwater mortgages but they know it's not the public employees in Nebraska that are responsible for the financial hole the State is in.

What I fear is really going on is the old saying "never waste a crisis". Whenever there is a crisis, for example 9-11, government rushes in to take control of the lives of the people more and more. Homeland Security, spying on Americans, unlimited wiretaps and so forth. In this case what a grand opportunity to take union strength away from the workers.

The source of this "crisis" is the irresponsible, wasteful spending States engaged in for years. Cut spending, entitlements, and illegal immigrant spending as much as you can. Shrink bloated goverment agencies and offices. Get the wealthy bankers that profited off everyday people to pay for their greed. Leave public employees and their unions alone!!