The purpose of government is to provide its citizens or constituents with public services relating to the public’s collective welfare: security, safety and the maintenance of critical infrastructure; all done at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer.

The purpose of government is not to become a self-sustaining, ever-growing bureaucracy which creates a privileged class of citizen whose employment, healthcare and retirement benefits far exceed those of the private sector or general population and, like a parasite feeding upon a host, requires ever-growing amounts of taxpayer funds to maintain a lifestyle that is becoming increasingly difficult to find in the general population.

Is is also objectionable to me that public employee unions, many with far-left or Marxist ties, have been able to gain traction in government functions and to subvert politicians and public officials for ever-growing wages and benefits, often accompanied by work rules which makes it next to impossible to fire or discipline corrupt, inept, incompetent and superfluous and unneeded workers.   

In addition, I find in intolerable that government entities, hence the taxpayers, are required to make union pension funds whole after disastrous union-directed investments failed.

Attempting to subvert the public good?

To illustrate the toxic affect that trade unions can have on our society, we can see that one public employees union is attempting to subvert the First Amendment rights of a free press using their financial clout. The issue is important: curtailing the costs of government in these financially troubled times.

According to the Los Angeles Times …

“Police Union Wants Union-Tribune Editorial Writers Sacked”

“The union representing Los Angeles police officers is pressuring the owner of San Diego's main newspaper to change the paper's editorial stance on labor issues or to fire its editorial writers.”

“The feud is rooted in the recent purchase of the San Diego Union-Tribune by Platinum Equity, a private Beverly Hills firm.”

“Platinum relies on a $30-million investment from the pension fund of Los Angeles police officers and fire fighters, along with large sums from other public-employee pension systems around the state, to help fund its acquisitions of companies.”

“As League President Paul M. Weber views it, that makes the League part owner in the flagging Tribune and League officials are none to happy with the paper's consistent position that San Diego lawmakers should cut back on salaries and benefits for public employees in order to help close gaping budget deficits.”

"Since the very public employees they continually criticize are now their owners, we strongly believe that those who currently run the editorial pages should be replaced," Weber wrote in a March 26 letter to Platinum CEO Tom Gores.”

Using this logic, the taxpayers should be able to vote to decertify unions and demand that the government further investigate the union’s finances and leadership for the type of self-serving corruption that was alleged to have been recently found in the SEIU (Service Employees International Union).

Furthermore, the taxpayers should be able to vote to require that government employees participate in the investment vehicles (IRAs, 401(k)s) that are available to ordinary citizens. And to have pension and salaries adjusted for the prevailing wages found in the private sector. Not to mention, competency testing and the elimination of ineffective or corrupt government employees.

Retirement: the phantom payroll for non-productive public service workers …

In my view, it does not serve the public to create a class of haughty public employees who will require the greater part of my taxes to live a retirement lifestyle which far exceeds those in the private sector. Especially in return for guaranteed employment, healthcare and an early retirement which sees the taxpayer facing a burden of carrying nearly 50-100% of the salary and benefit costs of workers who are no longer productive and who are actively seeking employment with other government or private entities. Let them retire at 65 or access the same type of early retirement benefits available to those in the private sector.

I am not speaking about those whose long, dedicated service merits a comfortable retirement. I am speaking of those outrageous benefits obtained by subverting public officials by offering campaign funding and media support. As for the first-responders who are always trotted out to make the union’s point – why should Angelenos  pay a premium for fire and police support when the same support – with the same risks – can be obtained elsewhere for 30% less? Why should be pay for gym teachers to be returned to the classroom to teach English when younger trained English teachers might lose their job?

Bottom-line …

As you may have guessed, I am not a big fan of labor unions – except under extraordinary circumstances relating to safety or the exploitation of  a captive labor force. Where other options exist; access to the courts to redress grievances and their is a large and willing labor pool, I feel that unions are superfluous. I have yet to see a labor union actually contribute to innovation, lower costs and more productivity – attributes which make this country great.

Perhaps we should revisit the improper influence of unions on government operations and in the subversion of public institutions dealing with Constitutionally-protected communications? And sack those politicians who are dependent on union support as being potentially corruptible and dangerous to the public’s welfare?

I am willing to listen to the other side. You can use the comments box below or use the e-mail link below my picture.

Be well, be safe and protect yourself and your family first.

-- steve

Reference Links …

Police Union Wants Union-Tribune Editorial Writers Sacked - mediabistro.com: FishbowlLA