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GOVERNMENT WORKERS WILL DO US IN
Mark, I figure this is up your alley: There is a potentially serious demographic problem about to really start showing up in the United States, and pensions promised to state and city employees all over the country are no small part of the coming problem.
Tim Geithner hinted today during his testimony that there is a very strong case for assisting the states on a "significant” scale. If Geither is calling it significant, you know we're talking $100 billion plus. I don't know about you, Mark, but the idea of using my taxes to pay for the self-interested and bloated pension commitments of cities and states I've never even lived in strikes me as galling. The commitments themselves are destroying state and city finances and will continue to thanks to mandatory COLAs and an ever-growing number of pensioners. Rather than demanding concessions and reforms (natch), the Feds look to be willing to pick up the tab— lock, stock, and barrel in all of it's absurdity.
People need to made aware of exactly what kind of system the Feds are thinking about bailing out. If people hear it as "save the states," then they won’t care. But if they hear it as “save the states that insist on paying retired workers insane amounts of money based on demographics and projections from twenty years ago,” then they might go looking for the pitchforks and torches.
Mike Meggyesy
Bellingham, Washington
GOVERNMENT WORKERS ARE PEOPLE, TOO
Mark, I am a fan of yours. I am an American, I love this country, and I work hard and earn my paycheck. I also work for government— for a city in California— and I just don’t get it as to why city, county, state and federal government workers are so hated.
We have to work, too, and some of us do quite important jobs, like save lives. For instance, I am a building official and I make sure that buildings are built correctly. People’s lives are saved because of what my staff and I do. Not many people know of us or care for us, but we do an important job. Many years of training and experience have gone into my profession, but the only thing anyone ever says is that all government employees are lazy, good-for-nothing leeches simply because we work for government
Well, we are no where near anything besides just getting by and we are mad over what is happening in this country, too. So please, try and understand that some of us do work hard and are loyal to our country. There is nothing wrong with working for government, whether it is city, county, state or federal government. I am one of those workers and would just appreciate a little respect.
Thanks Mark and keep up the great work.
Bob
MARK SAYS: Well, I don't think it's difficult to figure out why government workers are "hated". As that USA Today story pointed out, a government worker in a comparable job earns about 20 per cent more than his equivalent in the private sector. That's basic salary. When it comes to benefits, he earns over four times more: The government worker averages over $40,000 in benefits versus an average nine thousand and something in the private sector. He has more job security and he retires earlier. The widening gap between the state workforce and the citizens who pay their salaries is an offence to democratic legitimacy. And it cannot continue without very grave consequences.
CANADIAN MAN’S BURDEN
Thank you for helping me regain my perspective in your column entitled “Mild Reservations” on David Ahenakew’s passing.
I just participated in an “Aboriginal Relations” course as part of convention in Toronto; apparently, I, as a fourth or fifth generation Canadian, can no longer call Canada my home. By extending the term “traditional territories” with the Supreme Court’s blessing, the native communities can now exert their collective rights over every portion of this great country— including downtown Toronto. Being reasonably intelligent and resourceful, aboriginal tribal councils are thus now looking for a cut of every venture within their purview. (I now understand the business perspective of those attempting to open up a fire-resistant nightclub in downtown Montreal in the 1960s.)
I thought I’d share that a major section of the “Aboriginal Relations” course involved a thick laying-on of white man’s guilt over the Residential School Program, the Canadian government’s deplorable attempt to wipe out the aboriginal culture. I call upon an old axiom: If you can teach a man to fish, he can feed himself for a lifetime. Well, the Canadian government perverted this bit of wisdom into: If you teach a man to forget how to fish, he needs you for a lifetime. This is truly a marriage made in Hell. How does one get a divorce?
Earl
Sudbury, Ontario
LAWRENCE JOSEPH RIDES AGAIN (MAYBE)
Just read your old article about David Ahenakew. I am not sure which is more dangerous: the anti-hate speech laws of the Human Rights Commissions, or the disaster of Canada's Indian policy. Of course, the former makes it impossible to address the latter; anyone daring to talk openly about the problems on native reserves risks a long and expensive adventure with one or more of the various HRCs.
As it relates to current events, the (now former) FSIN chief mentioned in the story, Lawrence Joseph, is attempting to become the federal NDP candidate in a northern Saskatchewan riding. As a lifelong professional in the grievance industry, he should fit right in with Layton and the gang.
Lynette Hefner
Saskatchewan
NOW YOU’RE TALKING!
During your guest hosting gig for Rush the other day, you bemoaned the lack of great German music of recent years. I take it, then, that you are completely ignoring the grand contributions of Thomas Anders and Dieter Bohlen and all that Modern Talking brought to the advancement of the arts?
David
MARK SAYS: Well, I wouldn't say I'm completely ignoring them. I'm just saying I'm not sure they're worth erecting a massively expensive welfare state for.
YOUR EVIDENCE IS COMPELLING
You really are one little bigoted no-nothing POS scum, aren’t you? Must hurt to be you!
Joe King
West Palm Beach, Florida
MARK SAYS: Is "no-nothing" a spelling error? Or are you making a penis joke?
Thank you for your kind (and unkind) letters from America, Canada, Britain, Australia and around the world. Mark reads all mail, but especially enjoys the vicious ones. Each day Monday to Friday we pick six of the best for our Daily Delivery. So drop a line to Mark's Mailbox, and on Friday if you're chosen to be the one and only Letter of the Week you'll join our roll of winners from four Continents and receive a copy of Mark Steyn From Head To Toe. It would help if you could indicate your city or town, or, at any rate, your state, province or country. If not, at least let us know what planet you're on.
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