"...Taxpayers Can’t Afford Union Legacy Plans"

Quote

The problem with all governmental unions is the burden of debt that large pensions put on the backs of taxpayers. Union pensions are like grand pyramid schemes. A teacher can retire after 25 years of service. If they are in their mid-50s, they can average another 25 years of retirement pay. Think about this burden on the taxpayers, especially when each year there is a compounding effect of more teachers retiring. It’s not only the salary pension, but the health care as well.

A reasonable salary is something most taxpayers would support … especially for great teachers, but these legacy pensions (law enforcement, prison guards, firemen, teachers, government workers) are helping to drive every state in the union into large deficits. The governmental pension plans are driving Greece into economic chaos and rioting in the streets. Italy, Portugal and Spain are not far behind. California, New Jersey and New York are bankrupt with billions in deficits waiting for the fed to bail them out. The UAW is a large contributor to the financial mess the auto industry is in.

Private industry has been eliminating pension for years. Why aren’t the unions? Should we support teacher wages? Absolutely. Government union legacy plans? No.

more hee - http://www.flatheadbeacon.com/articles/article/letter_taxpayers_cant_afford_union_legacy_plans/19480/

Who promised all these benefits they couldn't deliver? Why?