[July4]

I'm against changing rules (or pensions) after the game has started; rules are rules, and a contract is a contract. However, if whatever entity is liable for the pensions and health care is unable to pay, then, from a practical standpoint, a reduced amount is better than nothing. Under most conditions, I'd say taxes must be raised to keep the foolish promises made to Wisconsin public job retirees, but the poor current economy makes that a tough sell.

In the future, towns, counties, and states should be certain that pension and health care payments will be reasonable and that pensions will be paid as promised.

It's really hard to see how a discredited DOJ and a super-political AG can help this situation with their presence.

Prayers for Wisconsin and the nation.

[9YearLurker]

With the widespread abuses weighing down the feds, states and municipalities now for years, there really needs to be a three-part solution:

1) eliminate public unions,
2) put all benefits onto defined contribution, rather than defined benefit, structures, and
3) some bankruptcy-type process government entities can go through to essentially cram down the excessive promises that pols have made and put through previously.

The third part is in some circumstances sad, but especially when you couple it with employees ‘retiring’ in the 40’s, it’s the only way to go.