Dear Editor:
I must admit that while reading Janet Anderson's commentary about the Wisconsin government's attack on the middle class, I had to duct tape my skull in order to keep it intact. Wow, was it difficult to get through the whole piece. Let me offer a little logic:
First, unions may be fighting for decent living, benefits and so on, but don't call them rights. Rights are granted under the Constitution and no where in that document have I read about the "Right to a decent wage."
Secondly, unions are big business, just as Exxon is big business. Don't get all emotional and drape yourself in the American flag extolling the virtues of unions. They have long since stopped being about saving children from working 16 hour days. They are about increasing union dues and building influence within the government.
Thirdly, state workers' collective bargaining absolutely has caused state fiscal crisis. You see, powerful public unions bargain with politicians, whose re-election is assisted by campaign contributions by those same unions.
The result is that many state workers have a higher pay rate, than comparable workers in private industry with wildly ambitious benefits and pensions. These wages, benefits and pensions are beyond the economics of the states, whose middle class tax base cannot support.
So, if you truly support the middle class, I'd suggest you look at the millions of taxpayers in Wisconsin and elsewhere who cannot afford higher property taxes and income taxes, whose increases are being necessitated by public employee union demands.
Additionally, any discussion of corporate greed in the current scenario is irrelevant. Corporations are not driving up state property taxes or income taxes. Corporations whose products aren't suitable for the public, go out of business. The same cannot be said for state governments. They just tax and spend more.
Finally, let me say that don't ever suggest job stability is a reason for public workers unions. United States and state government workers are the most protected work class in the world. They are not "at-will" employees, like private industry employees.
Edward Bielarski
Coplay
PrintThis
Comments
Help Stop the Unions from destroying the American Dream... Join S.C.A.B. today!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_160409877352006
I don't understand how people, especially from this area of the country could possibly be against Unions, or organized labor. Coal miners of the 1800's fought, and sacrificed their lives for better working conditions, and higher wages, and if it wasn't for people like them, we would all be working for peanuts, and that includes "nonunion workers" also. The standard of living in America has only gotten better for the average working man, because of Unions. I will agree, that there are some Unions who have taken advantage of having the upper hand, when their company or business was prospering, but they only prospered on the backs of their workers. As much as I don't agree with the government being involved in our everyday affairs, I do believe there should be a standard, or a cap on how much a business can make over and above their workers. It doesn't seem fair that if a business has a CEO making 7 million dollars a year, plus bonuses, while the workers are struggling to make ends meet, or barely being paid enough to live above the poverty level. This is when the government should have the right to step in, and equalize the playing field. At the same time, if a company is struggling to survive, it would be foolish for their union workers to be wanting extravagant raises. There has to be a compromise, between both Unions and the Company, so both can benefit and keep on prospering together as a team effort. I think, GREED is ruining it for everybody in achieving the American Dream in America today, if something doesn't drastically change in people's attitudes. Today, it seems to be all about me, or put all of the blame on the opposing side. "United we all stand; divided we all fall." It's as simple as that!
There is so, so much wrong with your letter. It's a shame you're so uninformed and can be so against your own self interests.
"Rights are granted under the Constitution..."
No, rights are inalienable.
"state workers' collective bargaining absolutely has caused state fiscal crisis."
Let's stick to Wisconsin for now. That state actually had a budget surplus! No need to cut any worker's salary or benefits... until the governor approved $140 million in spending for special interest groups. Also, the unions agreed to pay and benefit cuts that would balance the budget, but the republicans stripped collective bargaining rights anyway. What does it have to do with the economy at that point?
"state workers have a higher pay rate, than comparable workers in private industry..."
Wrong! When you actually do a relevant comparison, state employees earn LESS than workers in private industry. You have been lied to, and are now repeating that lie. Please educate yourself.
"Corporations whose products aren't suitable for the public, go out of business"
Wow, what planet are you living on? Corporations can also get bailed out, lie, cover up, buy political influence, outsource pollution, use slave labor, etc. when their products aren't suitable.
Remember, the same people that told you someone making $250,000/year is not rich and can't possibly have a tax increase, are now the same people telling you that a teacher making $50,000/year is the cause of all our financial problems.