Posted on 04/22/2012 9:15:14 AM PDT by Oldeconomybuyer
As Stockton stands on the brink of insolvency, cities, counties and school districts throughout California are grappling with the same problem of paying the health insurance of its retired workforce.
San Francisco, which once allowed its public employees to qualify for full retiree medical benefits after working just five years, is projected to pay $153 million in retiree health care costs this year. Cities like Thousand Oaks and school districts like the Los Angeles Unified School District are also facing long-term unfunded liabilities.
The looming crisis is similar to the one involving public employee pensions. The difference is that retiree health care has largely been handled on a pay-as-you-go basis, meaning the state and municipalities rarely set aside funds.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Well Sacramento, quick raise taxes to cover it before it’s too late!
Democrats using taxpayer money to buy the votes of the criminal class and government workers will collapse the system... but I guess they know that...
Let public employees write checks on the taxpayers’ bank accounts and this is pretty much what happens.
Full retiree medical benefits after 5 years. Just curious; How much of the taxpaying public was out protesting that?
“Just curious; How much of the taxpaying public was out protesting that?”
How many were even aware of it?
What will it take for the sheeple to stop fooling themselves and realize that the politicians they elect are not there to do what’s good for the public, but that they’re there to do good for themselves.
The only solution is to STARVE THE BEAST.
For those who remember the old Soviet Union, it was a grim place — at least for average citizens. But not so for those in government. Contrary to the official ideals of equality and a classless society that the ruling communist regime espoused, the USSR created a privileged class of party members inside government — the nomenklatura. This semipermanent bureaucracy earned higher incomes, got better health care, ate better food and had greater job security than average Russians, the much-despised proletarians. Today, our bloated government seems, in significant ways, to be creating this same dynamic.
Most had no clue it was even happening. Ya think government broadcasted this on the evening news?
Who would have ever thought cops and firemen, city council members and bloated corrupt water department government employees would be retiring at 50 years old, with government gold plated retirement pensions of $85,000+ per year?
As they showered them with the very best benefits and medical care for life?
All this while the private sector was incrementally economically gang raped by government at all levels.
BTW, these government lottery style pensions/benefits are not isolated to California.
This sh*t is happening in every state in this country.
ObamaKKKare didn't quite do what they thought it would do so they are stuck with these disasters of their own making.
BTW, State and local government retirees should probably prepare to take action in the courts ~ and elsewhere ~
The politicians getting elected were also Democrats.
No reason recourse can't be made to the pockets of the Democrats themselves with special sumptuary taxes.
They're about to experience what Cloward and Piven would call "success".
I hope they go to court, then the local and state government will have to claim bankruptcy which they, in fact, are - and the $85K/year retirees will have to renegotiate their whole package to something the taxpayers can afford. Closer to $40K/year if that.
There's no reason to let them escape through bankruptcy.
Golly, who saw this coming?
Right on. There in lies the problem.
California the poster state of how not to get anything right.And the still vote democrat,you get what you vote for.
No pity parties allowed.
There is every reason to let them escape through bankruptcy. Number 1 being there is no more money.
I'd go after them first! They've got stuff. They have relatives to tap.
The stupid SF taxpayers voted for it at the ballot box. Yes, SEIU and other unions brainwashed the voters to go for it. Any changes in civil service benefits have to be approved by the voters. And SEIU tugs on the voter's heart-strings by saying public safety is at risk unless approved. Works every time.
The problem is that people have their lives to live and are not there to guard against the theives in the state house and perform budget analyses every minute. The dems lie and the media swear to it. When the dems aren’t screwing the public the GOP-e is doing it.
The voters of CA approved this crap. They deserve what’s coming is spades.
How much of the 'taxpaying public' do you think was let in on that little scam?
My guess is: none.
Full medical benefits after five years? Maybe some lush parties in Vegas? Hooking up with whores in South America? No problem... American who don't scam the government - or work for it - I'm repeating myself - can just work until they drop to pay for this sh*t. Right?
And if we dare to object, we'll they've go 'means'....
So damn true. The public has to be educated and realize that they cannot vote for anyone other than a true dyed in the wool Conservative. They have to get this “Conservatives are for the rich” bullcrap that liberals have brainwashed them with.
Mark Levin states this all this time on his program because it’s so freakin’ true. A true Conservative would never stand for this bullshiet. People are sick to death of having their paychecks raped every payday (like I am)..So they need to be educated, they are voting for the wrong people. Like you said: Starve the beast, vote anything and everything but a conservative out of existence.
What ticks me off to no end is Conservatives sit idly by while Democrats are on the frontline spewing their BS. My theory is because Conservatives bust their ass working like I do and do not have the time. I work anywhere from 14 to 18 hours a day here in New york city. Up at 4am and I get home late at night. Most of the stuff I post on Freep I do through a Kindle while I’m on the road.
Liberals on the other hand are unemployed, like these OWS protestors who have 24 hours a day to spew their crap.
Just an edit here...
I wrote:
“They have to get this “Conservatives are for the rich” bullcrap that liberals have brainwashed them with.”
What I meant to say is:
“They have to get this “Conservatives are for the rich” bullcrap that liberals have brainwashed them with OUT OF THEIR HEAD.”
I worked as an accountant for the PEU. There were people working in the cafe 3 hours a day but getting health care and other benefits paid for around $2000
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