patrick.net

socal2 says

Cops have a much harder job than firefighters IMO.

And sanitation, road, and bus workers higher than either.

socal2 says

Really? The single biggest liability most cities have on their books is the lowest priority for reform? I thought you were just saying that Stockton and Vallejo need to reform their six figure pensions?

OK--slow down and think through my statements. Yes, I agree with thunder that pensions over $100K need to be reformed. I would argue that the pension for new hires be immediately changed to a more sustainable level with rules in place to prevent spiking.

That's different than pulling the rug out from under someone who has carefully planned for retirement expecting his pension payments. Someone who could have found work in the private sector, if he so chose, but instead worked for the public sector for exactly the reason of the pension plan.

socal2 says

This is to say nothing about the terrible corruption feedback loop where our tax dollars are being funneled to public sector unions (in the forms of dues) who in turns funnels it back to the Democrat party to get more Democrats elected to protect the unions and government bureaucracy.

Come on-how is that any different than our tax dollars going to Haliburton, then funneled back to the Republican party PACs to get more conservatives elected to protect the War Machine.

socal2 says

Could Democrats hold a near monopoly on California politics if they weren't getting millions of tax dollars from unions to get them elected?

Could Republicans get elected if they weren't getting millions of tax dollars from government contractors to get them elected?

socal2 says

I've seen massive administration bloat and ridiculous PC contracting requirements for MBE's and other social engineering.

At least when it comes to Public Works and Engineering, I have seen my fair share of waste and abuse.

And I've seen the same in every private company as well.

tatupu70 says

Come on-how is that any different than our tax dollars going to Haliburton,
then funneled back to the Republican party PACs to get more conservatives
elected to protect the War Machine.

Because public sector unions are #2 and #3 largest political donors in our politics and give almost 100% of their contributions (our tax dollars) to Democrats.

Whereas, Haliburton is not even in the top 200. The Koch Bros aren't even in the top 50. The rest of the military contractors spread the wealth pretty equally between Republicans and Democrats.

https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php

tatupu70 says

I would argue that the pension for new hires be immediately changed to a more sustainable level with rules in place to prevent spiking

Already happening.

socal2 says

Because public sector unions are #2 and #3 largest political donors in our politics and give almost 100% of their contributions (our tax dollars) to Democrats.

What percentage of all workers are public sector ? Don't you think labor deserves a voice in our politics ? Caution must be taken against abuse of that voice, as it should with corporations.

socal2 says

Whereas, Haliburton is not even in the top 200

Which makes the amount of influence they've been able to buy all that much more impressive.

In the battle between Capital and Labor, Labor is losing big time. But apparently not enough in your opinion.

JH says

tatupu70 says

I would argue that the pension for new hires be immediately changed to a more sustainable level with rules in place to prevent spiking

Already happening.

The California laws against spiking, which often happens toward the end of ones career have been put in place for existing workers, not just new hires.

socal2 says

Because public sector unions are #2 and #3 largest political donors in our politics and give almost 100% of their contributions (our tax dollars) to Democrats.

Whereas, Haliburton is not even in the top 200. The Koch Bros aren't even in the top 50. The rest of the military contractors spread the wealth pretty equally between Republicans and Democrats.

https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/list.php

If you read the preface, you'd understand why. Here is a better list (from the same source):

https://www.opensecrets.org/bigpicture/topcontribs.php

JH says

tatupu70 says

I would argue that the pension for new hires be immediately changed to a more sustainable level with rules in place to prevent spiking

Already happening.

Not really. Unions aren't letting that happen. The system is bound to run out of money sooner or later. So every year they'll look for more taxes, they'll call them "revenues". And make all kinds of proposals increasing taxes, and reducing benefits taxpayers get out of their taxes.

There's another thing, it's how you can tell when a radio channel or tv station is a commie rag, they will refer to taxes as "revenues". All in order to deceive an average American, and to sucker them into paying more to get less while government spends on their lavish excesses.

FortWayne says

Not really. Unions aren't letting that happen. The s

No actually it is. This thread is about calpers.

tatupu70 says

If you read the preface, you'd understand why. Here is a better list (from
the same source):

Your list says it doesn't include money spent on issue ads which alot of public sector union money goes to to lobby for propositions to raise our taxes.

Also Act Blue still is the highest contributor by a mile and is pretty much a clearing house for trial lawyers supporting democrats.

Also notice how the big Wall Street money like Goldman Sachs switches parties from one election to the next (2008-2012). Alot of this big money are opportunists supporting whoever they think will win that particular election to garner influence. Whereas the public sector unions support Democrats nearly 100% year after year using *our tax money*.