Re: Austerity
 

But let's bring the discussion back on topic because it's not about healthcare businesses, this is about the battle in Wisconsin over public employees' ability to form unions and bargain collectively.

The bill the Governor is proposing would ask the employees to pay 12% of their healthcare costs and fund half their pension, which would be a step down in benefits for government employees. In the private sector, workers pay 12% of their healthcare costs on average, and usually get 1 to 1 matches on a 401K or similar account. So in other words, the governor is offering to pay the employees the market rate.

But no, that's not good enough. They want more than that.

Why the eff should taxpayers pay a premium beyond market rate for government workers?? That's why unions are ridiculous.

Re: Austerity
 

[quote=Schneed10;785327]But let's bring the discussion back on topic because it's not about healthcare businesses, this is about the battle in Wisconsin over public employees' ability to form unions and bargain collectively.

The bill the Governor is proposing would ask the employees to pay 12% of their healthcare costs and fund half their pension, which would be a step down in benefits for government employees. In the private sector, workers pay 12% of their healthcare costs on average, and usually get 1 to 1 matches on a 401K or similar account. So in other words, the governor is offering to pay the employees the market rate.

But no, that's not good enough. They want more than that.

Why the eff should taxpayers pay a premium beyond market rate for government workers?? That's why unions are ridiculous.[/quote]

Its funny when Obama won office he moved in and made his changes even though the Rep. didn't like it they sat down at the table. The dems are acting like my 4 yr old daughter whenshe does not get her way.

Re: Austerity
 

[quote=firstdown;785329]Its funny when Obama won office he moved in and made his changes even though the Rep. didn't like it they sat down at the table. The dems are acting like my 4 yr old daughter whenshe does not get her way.[/quote]

Yeah this is a "I'm taking my ball and going home" move if I ever did see one.

Re: Austerity
 

They keep saying it not about the money. I'd like to see them pull the colletive bargaining out of the bill just to see what they then say. They could always vote on that latter.

Re: Austerity
 

[quote=Schneed10;785331]Yeah this is a "I'm taking my ball and going home" move if I ever did see one.[/quote]

Hmmm, interesting. I wonder what you lot call a government shutdown or the threat of it?

Politics is a contact sport, tell'en to stay up.

Re: Austerity
 

i think its very funny when someone else is going to lose out of pocket, whether its thru wage loss, or benefits, its balls to the walls. schneed, if your salary was going to be cut, or you were going to have to pay more for benefits, you wouldn't be screaming so loud. get off your high horses. these politicians f**ked this up. now they are trying to make the union look like the bad guys. and you don't like unions because they make you play by rules. the corporate greed that runs rampant keeps under control with a union in place. in my opinion, the unions will make a come back

Re: Austerity
 

[quote=dmek25;785378]i think its very funny when someone else is going to lose out of pocket, whether its thru wage loss, or benefits, its balls to the walls. schneed, if your salary was going to be cut, or you were going to have to pay more for benefits, you wouldn't be screaming so loud. get off your high horses. these politicians f**ked this up. now they are trying to make the union look like the bad guys. and you don't like unions because they make you play by rules. the corporate greed that runs rampant keeps under control with a union in place. in my opinion, the unions will make a come back[/quote]

I find it interesting that you tell Schneed to get off his high horse, all the while riding your own horse about the wonder of unions.

There is no doubt in my mind that unions served an important role in raising quality of life at one time. There is also no doubt in my mind that unions will push beyond the bounds all in the name of their members, regardless of the consequence to the overall health of the business.

Re: Austerity
 

[quote=dmek25;785378]i think its very funny when someone else is going to lose out of pocket, whether its thru wage loss, or benefits, its balls to the walls. schneed, if your salary was going to be cut, or you were going to have to pay more for benefits, you wouldn't be screaming so loud. get off your high horses. these politicians f**ked this up. now they are trying to make the union look like the bad guys. and you don't like unions because they make you play by rules. the corporate greed that runs rampant keeps under control with a union in place. in my opinion, the unions will make a come back[/quote]

EVERYONE HAS HAD TO PAY MORE FOR HEALTH BENEFITS.

Welcome to reality. Why should union members be any different??

Re: Austerity
 

[quote=saden1;785359]Hmmm, interesting. I wonder what you lot call a government shutdown or the threat of it?

Politics is a contact sport, tell'en to stay up.[/quote]

As far as I'm concerned congress can shut down for as long as they want but they better not do so too long because people will figure out who needs them. Do we really need people sitting around 99% of the year trying to think up new laws or new taxes?

Re: Austerity
 

I have watched some of these protest and it seems that about 3/4 of the people when asked really don't know what they are protesting.

Re: Austerity
 

[quote=firstdown;785402]I have watched some of these protest and it seems that about 3/4 of the people when asked really don't know what they are protesting.[/quote]

Gutter is a tool.

Re: Austerity
 

[quote=Schneed10;772022]I think Social Security is a big area where benefits will be adjusted one of these days. When it was put into place they made the retirement age 65, people didn't live much longer than that. Now the retirement age is still 65 but a lot of people are living into their 80s. Obviously that's a drain on the system.

With baby boomers retiring the funds will be drawn down and will run out of cash somewhere between 2030 - 2040. They have no choice, they will have to push back the retirement age or cut benefits.

Of course they could modify the investments in the program's portfolio, that would solve a good portion of the problem.[/quote]

I think there is an even more simple fix but of course the politician wont go for it. I suggest we take all politician and put them on SSI retirement. All the tax monies that would be allocated over the years to pay the retirement of politicians be allocated to SSI. I think the time they spend as elected officials should be counted towards the 40 quarter requirement just like everyone else but they shouldnt be allowed to "retire" after only 1 term in office and be able to draw there currently salary for the rest of their lives. I also say put them on Medicare at 65.... just like everyone else in the private sector... SSI and Medicare would be two of the most solvent Government programs in our country... as it is politicians dont care about taking money out of it because it doesnt affect them at all... if it did they'd leave it alone.

Re: Austerity
 

[quote=Tiggwin;786538]I think there is an even more simple fix but of course the politician wont go for it. I suggest we take all politician and put them on SSI retirement. All the tax monies that would be allocated over the years to pay the retirement of politicians be allocated to SSI. I think the time they spend as elected officials should be counted towards the 40 quarter requirement just like everyone else but they shouldnt be allowed to "retire" after only 1 term in office and be able to draw there currently salary for the rest of their lives. I also say put them on Medicare at 65.... just like everyone else in the private sector... SSI and Medicare would be two of the most solvent Government programs in our country... as it is politicians dont care about taking money out of it because it doesnt affect them at all... if it did they'd leave it alone.[/quote]

I don't think they can serve one term and collect a full retirement. I agree they should have to be on the same system as everyone else but that will not fix the problem.

Re: Austerity
 

I forgot about this thread..... Ill try to keep it alive, i think theres gonna be more and more things put in the spotlight during the GOP primaries

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