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I have not heard the entire discussion today, but most of the people and callers I have heard seem to be missing the point: governments cannot continue to offer benefits in the same ways they historically have. It is unsustainable.

Health insurance premiums grow largely based on the usage of employees. In the local government I work for, medical insurance premiums increased by about 17% from 2009 to 2010. In terms of dollars, that's over $2.4 million.

The choice is to continue to erode services and layoff staff to maintain benefit plans that do nothing to prevent informed consumerism or healthy lifestyles or to redesign benefit plans so that employees do choose more wisely. And yes, that is based on increased participation in the cost of the plans.

Also, it is not accurate to say that public employees are slaves, are underpaid, etc. Retirement benefits are still good, as are leave packages and policies.

When will people take more responsibilities for their actions? The entitlement mentaility has got to go, and if public sector workers feel they are being treated unfairly, they should find employment elsewhere.

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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