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As a former public sector employee I can tell you that I made considerably less than I would have in the private sector. Yes, I had my monthly healthcare benefit paid for me, but I also had co-pays and deductable to meet. There was no 'free ride' on the taxpayers of this state. I worked long hours to meet the needs of those I served. I participated in many off hour community and school projects. So why did I do it? I guess I felt that giving something back to the state and the people who live here was an important ideal and vision to have. However, when I read and hear comments that deride and denagrate the bottom line workers who keep this state running I wonder why anyone should bother. Let the schools, roads, health care, business infrastructur, and others go to hell in a hand-basket and see how these same individuals would be hollering and clammoring for the state to 'do more'.  It is not a low level public worker who is causing the problem with our economy, it is over users of the system, and businesses who do not pay their fair share of taxes that is the problem.

I work in the private sector now, and while I get more compensation I still have a decent retirement plan (and I still have my medical paid for, with co-pays and deductables on me), I see misuse and mismanagement here too. So, what is the answer? It is time to stop blaming everything on public employees and what benefits they may get. They provide a valuable service to everyone. Maybe it is time to look at the private sector and make sure taxes are paid, workers are given decent benefits and retirements also...and stop the corporate greed that is going on around this country. I have not seen any top level administrators and managers taking a cut in pay or benefits. The 'golden parachutes' still exist.

The grass always looks greener on the other side...until you get there are see all the cowpies that are fertilizing the field. Stop looking for a public worker scapegoat, and start looking in your backyard. Maybe then a solution will be discovered that benefits all, and not only a few.

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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