Post by BrianSullivan on May 26, 2010 6:39:29 GMT -5
This is a very nice editorial from the APP. The rally in Trenton is another example of teachers and pubcli unions declaring war on children and tax payers. The APP nailed it and the last line says it all.
www.app.com/article/20100524/OPINION01/5250305/1029/Protesters-short-on-useful-ideas
Tens of thousands of teachers and government workers rallied in Trenton Saturday, carrying signs and chanting to protest Gov. Chris Christie's proposed budget cuts and spending reforms. The estimated 25,000 to 35,000 protesters — possibly the largest turnout ever for a rally near the Statehouse — voiced mutual outrage over the impact the cuts will have on public employees.
The protesters certainly made their dissatisfaction with Christie's attempts to reduce the cost of government clear. Unfortunately, they offered no alternatives, other than getting Christie to back off on many of the reforms he has proposed and, in some cases, the Democratic-controlled Legislature has endorsed.
Most of the wrath was directed at Christie.
"I wish you were here today, governor, so you could see we are united against your arrogant, destructive policies," said Barbara Keshishian, head of the state's largest teachers union. "We can't all live in mansions in Mendham (where Christie lives), but we deserve a right to make a living."
Union leaders and many of the protesters demanded Christie sign a bill approved in both houses of the Legislature last week that would increase the income tax rate on the state's wealthiest residents. Christie had vetoed the bill two days earlier.
Legitimate arguments can be made on both sides of the issue about the fairness of the so-called millionaire's tax. But it is foolhardy to suggest it is the answer to New Jersey's economic problems. Christie inherited an $11 billion budget gap upon taking office earlier this year. At best, raising the top rate on incomes in excess of $1 million from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent would generate an additional $600 million. Updated revenue projections from the state treasurer due this week may well show it would generate substantially less.
Regardless, even $600 million in a $29 billion budget can buy you only so much. And if New Jersey were suddenly to see that kind of money fall from the sky, it should be used to help the state's neediest residents, not to allow a continuation of business as usual with public employee compensation.
"We are not the problem," was one of the rallying cries at Saturday's demonstration.
Given that roughly two-thirds of all government spending goes toward public employee salaries and benefits, the unions are the problem. If they want to fix it, they must show a bit more creativity than simply hitting up the rich.
www.app.com/article/20100524/OPINION01/5250305/1029/Protesters-short-on-useful-ideas
Tens of thousands of teachers and government workers rallied in Trenton Saturday, carrying signs and chanting to protest Gov. Chris Christie's proposed budget cuts and spending reforms. The estimated 25,000 to 35,000 protesters — possibly the largest turnout ever for a rally near the Statehouse — voiced mutual outrage over the impact the cuts will have on public employees.
The protesters certainly made their dissatisfaction with Christie's attempts to reduce the cost of government clear. Unfortunately, they offered no alternatives, other than getting Christie to back off on many of the reforms he has proposed and, in some cases, the Democratic-controlled Legislature has endorsed.
Most of the wrath was directed at Christie.
"I wish you were here today, governor, so you could see we are united against your arrogant, destructive policies," said Barbara Keshishian, head of the state's largest teachers union. "We can't all live in mansions in Mendham (where Christie lives), but we deserve a right to make a living."
Union leaders and many of the protesters demanded Christie sign a bill approved in both houses of the Legislature last week that would increase the income tax rate on the state's wealthiest residents. Christie had vetoed the bill two days earlier.
Legitimate arguments can be made on both sides of the issue about the fairness of the so-called millionaire's tax. But it is foolhardy to suggest it is the answer to New Jersey's economic problems. Christie inherited an $11 billion budget gap upon taking office earlier this year. At best, raising the top rate on incomes in excess of $1 million from 8.97 percent to 10.75 percent would generate an additional $600 million. Updated revenue projections from the state treasurer due this week may well show it would generate substantially less.
Regardless, even $600 million in a $29 billion budget can buy you only so much. And if New Jersey were suddenly to see that kind of money fall from the sky, it should be used to help the state's neediest residents, not to allow a continuation of business as usual with public employee compensation.
"We are not the problem," was one of the rallying cries at Saturday's demonstration.
Given that roughly two-thirds of all government spending goes toward public employee salaries and benefits, the unions are the problem. If they want to fix it, they must show a bit more creativity than simply hitting up the rich.