What Christie left out of his Jersey miracle story

Washington Examiner ^ | August 29 | Mark Lagerkvist

[Rabin]

"Christie did spearhead legislation that increased pension contributions by public employees, tweaked benefits and halted cost of living increases," but did little or nothing to stop the costly practice of 'double-dipping.. which allows well-connected officials to 'retire,' start collecting a pension and then return to work for the state, often the next day or week."

The most prominent of the double-dippers exposed recently just happens to be Christie's deputy chief of staff, Louis Goetting, "who gets $228,860 a year - $140,000 in salary, plus $88,860 as a state retiree." New Jersey Watchdog found at least 60 double-dippers in New Jersey state government. Between them, they collect nearly $10 million annually, including $4.4 million in pensions and $5.5 million in salaries for their present state government positions. A third of the 60 were hired by Christie, according to New Jersey Watchdog.

[Rabin]

Why select this fella for the Keynote speech @ Republican National Convention. A mix-master of Chicago politics NJ style, with a diploma from the Don Rickles School of Warmth & Charm.

Keynote Clint, Keynote the empty chair . Anything but the blob.

Rab.

Was it just me , or did the empty chair have a teleprompter?

[Kansas58]

Actually, there is a conservative argument in favor of “double-dipping”

PROPERTY RIGHTS!

That money belongs, not to the State, but to the retired person.

If the money had gone into a 401(K) there would be no question who the money belonged to.

Yes, many States have promised too much, in their pension programs. That is a different question.

We should ENCOURAGE people to keep working, and these “double dippers” as you call them, are paying taxes on their higher earnings, and paying into Social Security and Medicare.

You really don't have any moral argument against this. Do you want a State to be powerful enough to order a person NOT to go back to work?

How is that a conservative value?

[Rabin]

K58, “Yes, many States have promised too much, in their pension programs. That is a different question.”

Your point is well taken. Thanks.

The different question, is the original question. Why Christie?

Rab

[hosepipe]

The Unions are a plight on this country..
Veritable Parasites.. even Vampires in some places..

What is NEVER SPOKEN OF “IS”....
Myth Romney is also a Union Stooge..
You know like Zero Obama..

Much of Federal State and Local TAXES go to support Union members in a thousand ways.. maybe two thousand..

(( YES ))..... Even in right to work States..

[jaydee770]

Honest question: What is the down-side to double-dipping (either public sector or private sector). I know there is an objection, but I haven’t yet figured out why. I’m in the commercial sector, so I’m looking at this from outside of the public sector.

If I understand the situation (correct me if I’m wrong), the issue is that:
1. City Employee works one career-term (20 - 30 years?) and retires.
2. City Employee later goes back to work for the City in a new position (new salary & benefits).
3. City Employee *may* last another career term and retire again (two earned retirements for two separate career terms in two different positions)

Here’s where I get lost: If #2 & #3 was a completely different person with the same skills & qualifications with a similar salary & benefits — how would the $$-cost to the city’s budget be any different?

Again, it’s a serious inquiry - someone slap me with a clue-by-four...