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Until last year I worked in the private sector.  My employer paid 100% of the health insurance for the worker (but nothing for spousal or family coverage.)  I also got bonuses based on profits, a hefty year-end bonus and matching contributions to my 401k.  Since going to work for the public sector, I have taken a significant paycut.  And, of course, I no longer get bonuses. 

Although the current public employee retirement package is more generous, I am a long way from retirement and those benefits may or may not be there by the time I retire.  What is important to me right now is my take-home pay.  With 3 kids, we qualify for food stamps off the amount I now make.  This is distressing, considering that I have 2 college degrees and do a professional-level job.  Where in our budget could we possibly take the money to pay health insurance costs, too? 

I also saw much more "waste" in the private sector - there was not the same emphasis on saving supplies, running out the last drop of toner, not paying for travel, etc.  And the boss lived much "higher on the hog" than my public-sector boss!  I think people look at the taxes they pay as a give-away, but they don't realize that all those private sector costs are built into every single thing they buy each day.  It's much more obvious when it's paid in a single lump once a year (taxes).

posted 2 years, 10 months ago
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As the mother of three children in Oregon public schools (one elementary, one middle and one high schooler), I strongly support the teaching of sex ed in our schools.  We are open in talking about their sexuality questions at home, but I know that they probably don't ask parents everything they wonder about.  They also are picking up misinformation from their peers (even my elementary schooler.)  Having come from a state where abstinence-only ed was the norm, I have seen the unnecessary consequences of witholding information they need to keep themselves safe.  A lot of the opposition to sex ed also seems to come from misinformation about what is actually taught at what age (for example, quoting lessons for high schoolers as if they're taught to elementary kids.)  Please, parents, educate yourself about the realities of your children's experiences (both in and out of school)!

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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