Ya wearing me out.

"Ya wearing me out!" ~ James R. Hoffa



My mind, is assaulted by the constant turmoil surrounding the issues of Collective Bargaining and Government Unions, and I have begun to adopt a most undignified and surly pose. The protests in Wisconsin and now here in our very own State of Maine have put me on edge, so much so that I am beginning to feel a bit worn out by it all. There are only so many times one can listen with patience, to the arguments put forth by the emotionally driven protestors before one is forced to snap.  I mean really could not have the Union leadership come up with some decent well thought out platforms besides; “it’s not fair, save the middle class, and, we don’t get Social Security?”  I do believe that if I was dues paying member of these Unions I would be asking for a full refund. For, the slogans, chants and arguments are not only weak, but pitiful, and if their purpose is supposed to elicit some feeling of sympathy in my breast they have failed miserably.

Last week’s little rally at the State House in Augusta did not endear many of the government workers, who so boldly carried signs and screamed about proposed reforms of the State Pension Program, to the general public. I have yet to speak to a single person who feels the least bit sympathetic towards the Unions or their workers in this case, and considering the rather liberal nature of this state, that is unusual to say the least. Why might this be? Well maybe, just maybe, it is because the truth, that pesky little point the Union bosses don’t like, is well known to the rest of us mere citizens.

How can someone; who three years ago watched their 401K swirl down the toilet along with the entire economy, and who will have to work well past 65 to make it up, feel bad for those who are guaranteed a pension at 65, instead of 62? A pension, by the way, which includes full health coverage? Sorry, not many eyes will well up over that my friends because here in the dreaded private sector, such a retirement package can only be dreamed of. Personally I would kill to have a shot at such a deal.

“Ahh, but you get Social Security “says they.

To which I reply “On what Planet are you living?” Social Security is defunct; everyone knows that the program is one of the greatest ponzi schemes in American history. By the time I even think about retirement there will be no funds available because every dollar going into the pot today is spent before the government even takes it. There is no big savings account in Washington D.C with my name on it waiting for my golden years. I have another two decades until I reach 65 by which time Social Security will be Bankrupt and we all know it, well we should, it’s horrible how the bothersome facts always seem to rise up at these times. The only difference between the public and private sector when it comes to Social Security is that the private sector pays money for benefits they will never receive and the public sector pays nothing.  Oh and as the government employees will receive FULL Health care coverage and the rest of us will have to PURCHASE our own, I am really starting to wonder what exactly it is they are braying so loudly about?

Maybe they really do feel that the proposed Budget will “Destroy the Middle Class” and somehow the Government Unions will save it. But this begs the question: What middle class are they talking about? The middle class that has to work every day to make ends meet, the one that does not have time to go to rallies mid week? The middle class that has endured the brunt of this economic downturn, who have watched jobs dry up, retirement plans, and dreams wither on the vine, while State government grows? The middle class who pays the taxes that fund the programs and departments for which these protestors work? Are those the folks the Unions want to save? Or is it that only Public workers can be considered middle class and those of us out here who are taxed as such don’t count?  If I no longer count as middle class then I suppose I can look forward to a break on my State income filing next year, I’ll be sure to hold my breath while I wait for that to happen.

I could go on forever with this as the Unions and their members have given me so much to work with but I think the point is made.

Our Public sector employees do not know, or understand how oh so very good they have it. They don’t seem to see that those who pay for their benefits are facing hardships far greater than a mere extension of retirement dates. They are out of touch with reality and as they cry and wail about the supposed pain they are suffering, the rest of us look on and think, “Shut Yer Bake.”

Cheers

Allen R. Butler