Thread: Protesting in Wisconsin....Just the beginning?

I don't know much about all the politics involved in the issue, but perhaps someone can explain how it's ok for the non-government employees to retire and try to survive on Social Security, to which they contribute during their working life, but government employees need a private pension plan paid for by others.

And when some one tries to comment on how hard government employees work and how dangerous their jobs are, think about for a minute on our soldiers, on how much they get paid and what their retirement benefits will be.

Originally Posted by Navaja

I don't know much about all the politics involved in the issue, but perhaps someone can explain how it's ok for the non-government employees to retire and try to survive on Social Security, to which they contribute during their working life, but government employees need a private pension plan paid for by others.

And when some one tries to comment on how hard government employees work and how dangerous their jobs are, think about for a minute on our soldiers, on how much they get paid and what their retirement benefits will be.

Where is it that Government pensions are paid for by others? I've been contributing roughly 9% of my paycheck for the past 22 years into the pension fund.

As for the military, granted the base pay leaves something to be desired, but housing and medical care are paid for. Also, after 20 years, military personnel can retire with a pension and will have medical care. I am a Reservist (made a trip to Iraq) with a number of active duty friends that look forward to retirement. Best check your facts

Originally Posted by LAsoxfan

Where is it that Government pensions are paid for by others? I've been contributing roughly 9% of my paycheck for the past 22 years into the pension fund.

That's exactly the solution to the problem, you put aside 9% or as much as you want of your paycheck, save it/invest it any way you want, and leave the taxpayers out of funding your pension.

One thing I find interesting in this situation is that people say, "They have it so much better than I do". And the answer seems to be to drag them down to my level. Why isn't the question, Why don't I get what they have?

Just a thought,

Tim

That was todays protest sorta thousand more joined in support of the bill. No one is trying to drag them down. If your wife spent 1,000 dollars a day and it was out of your budget would you say how can I spend that much also or would you cut her spending? Without this legislature some of them are going to lose there jobs there is just not enough money to support their current situation.

Originally Posted by knightwolf

That was todays protest sorta thousand more joined in support of the bill. No one is trying to drag them down. If your wife spent 1,000 dollars a day and it was out of your budget would you say how can I spend that much also or would you cut her spending? Without this legislature some of them are going to lose there jobs there is just not enough money to support their current situation.

I think what 32t was saying was more related to the private sector. Most big companies today are not hurting in the least for cash. Governments are a different matter, but again, if we had more (good paying) jobs in the private sector, there would be more tax revenue, so...

Keep in mind, most of the unions agreed to the planned pay/benefit cuts. THey may have been vocal in their dislike of the way they were handled, but they're not out there simply because of cuts. The key thing is that the governor is trying to bust their unions altogether. That's what everyone is (rightly) worked up about.

Originally Posted by PA23-250

Keep in mind, most of the unions agreed to the planned pay/benefit cuts. THey may have been vocal in their dislike of the way they were handled, but they're not out there simply because of cuts. The key thing is that the governor is trying to bust their unions altogether. That's what everyone is (rightly) worked up about.

Kasich did say he would get revenge on the unions for supporting Strickland.....

Originally Posted by 32t

One thing I find interesting in this situation is that people say, "They have it so much better than I do". And the answer seems to be to drag them down to my level. Why isn't the question, Why don't I get what they have?

Just a thought,

Tim

You are correct, sir! Until people start thinking this way & demanding to be treated better, this race to the bottom will continue. In many ways, lots of American workers today are their own worst enemies. If one group gets a pay raise, other people should be happy because it raises the bar for everybody. Instead, they snipe about how that group "doesn't deserve it".

Keep in mind, corporate profits in most sectors are just about as high as they've ever been, so it's not like companies can't afford it... It would be good for the economy too as more dollars would be in circulation again. Then we could improve our falling apart infrastructure, etc.

Instead, most people would rather watch "American idol" (I deliberately used lower case for the 2nd word!) & complain instead of getting off their behinds & doing something about it...

Originally Posted by PA23-250

You are correct, sir! Until people start thinking this way & demanding to be treated better, this race to the bottom will continue. In many ways, lots of American workers today are their own worst enemies. If one group gets a pay raise, other people should be happy because it raises the bar for everybody. Instead, they snipe about how that group "doesn't deserve it".

These are my thoughts.

nightwolf,

15 years ago my proprety taxes in Wisc were $100 now they are $2,200 So I am a part of this. I feel your pain. I have thought of selling.

Tim

Originally Posted by PA23-250

You are correct, sir! Until people start thinking this way & demanding to be treated better, this race to the bottom will continue. In many ways, lots of American workers today are their own worst enemies. If one group gets a pay raise, other people should be happy because it raises the bar for everybody. Instead, they snipe about how that group "doesn't deserve it".

Keep in mind, corporate profits in most sectors are just about as high as they've ever been, so it's not like companies can't afford it... It would be good for the economy too as more dollars would be in circulation again. Then we could improve our falling apart infrastructure, etc.

Instead, most people would rather watch "American idol" (I deliberately used lower case for the 2nd word!) & complain instead of getting off their behinds & doing something about it...

Here's the only problem I see with what you've said: Public workers get pay raises at the expense of taxpayers. I guess I don't understand why the average tax payer would be happy with public workers "raising the bar for everybody" when the money is coming out of the pocket of the tax payer.

Chris L