In Illinois and especially Chicago, the unions have a strangle hold on the city. Yes, the politicians got us into this. That does not mean that we should continue on like sheep and just sit back and take it.
I sent the following article to my Mom who, being a typical JW does not pay attention to the local news:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-civic-pensions-0210-20110209,0,3198498.story The city of Chicago is $23 BILLION in the hole to Union Pension Plans: The Civic Federation releases a report showing the unfunded liabilities for 10 city and county pension funds grew sixfold from 2000 to 2009, with shortfalls now totaling nearly $23 billion, or $11,000 per Chicago resident. As the article states, she will be facing property tax increases and reduced services in Chicago. All because of the pensions that crooked politicians cooked up with Union Bosses--to keep them both in power. And funded with OUR TAX Dollars. Why is everyone putting their heads in the sand? This has happened all over the US. I, for one, see no reason for unions in a government environment. Is the government going to put the workers at risk? Is the government going to treat them so bad? They can leave just like any other employee and get another job. Why on earth does a group of government employees need collective bargaining? Why shouldn't they pay into their own retirement plan, like I do? Why shouldn't they pay for apart of their own insurance, like I do? Why shouldn't they be fired for doing a shitty job, like I can be? Why can't they negotiate their pay, like I do? Why do they need a Union negotiating everything for them? Bottom line? They don't. The union bosses need their money to pay the politians and the politicians need the union money to purchase their positions.