[Destroyer]

Jeffmo, I'm not going to quote you, because it would be unnecessarally long and I want to keep this post relatively short.
First, would you please enlighten me..what is this ALEC that you refered to several times? I really don't know and it might help me better understand what you were trying to say. Also, you mentioned leos? Again, I don't know what or who they are. Thanks

As to your post in general, before I start, let me say that because I was both a union member for 10+ years (IBEW-AFL-CIO), and then management for 15 years or so it gives me the unique ability to see both sides perhaps a little clearer than most people.

That being said, your comments are pure union kool-aid. You really need to broaden your horizons and see both sides of the situation.

I don't know about 30% more vs 41% more vs no percent more, but I can tell you from being on the school board here in my home town that the teachers here earn $60,000 average in the public sector, while the teachers in the private schools in the area earn $40,000 per year average. (And the students in the private sector usually get much better grades....go figure.) I can't comment on the fire fighters because we have a volunteer force. And it's hard to put a finger on the police because really there isn't a private sector equivalent.

But the point isn't really about who makes more, or who makes less.. The point is that for a long, long, long, time public sector unions have enjoyed pensions that are simply UNSUSTAINABLE now. I'm not saying that the people that earned them in the past have no right to them. Far from it. They earned it, that was the contract, so be it.. pay them! BUT it's time to start changing the contract for new hires. They need to start paying into their pensions just like everyone in the private sector. They need to start paying for their health care just like everyone in the private sector. The era of the free lunch is OVER. Can't you see that? It used to be that the public sector unions were paid less than private sector people for the same types of jobs, but the trade off was they got a better pension when they retired.. but that's NOT true anymore. Now the public sector unions are making MORE than the private sector people that support them, but they still want the same pensions, they still want the free health care, they still want the free pensions and benefits. The people of this counrty are already paying over 50% of their money in taxes....much of it to support union pay and pensions for public sector employees. Don't you understand? THE WELL IS DRY!!! We don't have the money anymore. We're broke!!

All you (the unions) are to the Democrats is a bunch of stooges. A voting block whose votes they are buying by promising you better this and better that, etc etc etc. But really... do they EVER deliver? Ask yourself, are you better off today then you were in the past? Are you?

And don't parrot the lie that the Democrats feed you that they are for the little people and the Republicans are for big buisness... the fact of the matter is exactly the opposite. Big business is only too happy and activelly supports the Democrats with huge campaign contributions. One only has to look at the heads of GE, GM, Chrysler, Disney, Warner Bros, & MGM for examples. Ditto with Wall Street.. does the name George Soros ring a bell with you? Morgan-Stanley? Bank of America? AIG? Dude.... You're a puppet being used, and you don't even know it. Big business helps both the Democrats & the Republicans, That's how they control you.

Instead of looking down at Tea Party people, perhaps you should actually LISTEN to what they are saying.

You're a good union employee, I have no doubt about that, and I thank you for your service as a firefighter. It's a dangerous job that doesn't get nearly enough recognition. If you want to be an even better fireman, go to a few Tea Party meetings... maybe you'll learn something. Maybe you'll see how you're being used. Maybe you'll stop just spouting party lines. (Not saying you're dumb, just saying that you're woefully misinformed.)