Other than notorious bandits like Bernie Madoff and a handful of other Wall Street criminals, the fact remains that the real perpetrators of the US economic meltdown remain at-large, sitting on a beach in some tax-sheltered Shangri-la like the Cayman Islands. Meanwhile, local and national politicians and the pot-stirring media have successfully vilified public employees and their unions. There has never been a more maligned personification of the word “scapegoat” than today’s hapless civil servant.
As thousands of these wall street low-lives sit on millions of dollars in ill-gotten assets – most of it made on the backs of hard-working men and women --many honest Americans have been deceived into believing that this nation’s most fundamental societal bulwark -- police officers, firefighters, teachers, and nurses -- are now the virtual pariahs of the world’s most long-lasting and thriving democracy.
The reality is that the US economic meltdown was caused by failed monetary, fiscal, and regulatory policies in Washington, and casino-like Wall Street gamesmanship. Moody's, one of the largest credit rating entities in the world, recently declared that, "Local government defaults do not present a systematic risk, and debt service is well within manageable numbers." They go on to say that State and local bonds remain stable, as only 5 of 6000 municipal bonds have defaulted. Blackstone, one of the largest fund managers in the world, recently declared, "We oppose scapegoating public employee unions by blaming them for structural budget deficits that cities and states face."
From 1979-2007 the top 1% of America has seen their income increase by 281% while the middle class has seen theirs increase by 25%. General Electric realized $12 billion in profits yet paid no taxes. Banks are bailed out by the government and then turn around and pay their CEOs multi- million dollar bonuses just months later.
Are there some over-stressed pension systems in the country? Yes, and there always has been, and always will be. Are public employees and their bargaining agents responsible? Not entirely, and in some cases not at all. Are most labor folks fair-minded realists willing to work with local government to tune up a beleaguered pension system? Of course! Who else has more to lose from a defunct retirement system than the invested employees? No one, and no other group or entity is working more diligently at making needed fixes than are the employee labor groups. No one.
I cannot speak for other professions, but I can tell you that a 30- plus year police career takes an unbelievable toll one’s body and mind. We will not hesitate to risk our lives or do our duty for the safety and security of our citizens. That is our profession and our oath, which is no incidental aspect, either. How many jobs or professions require the taking of an oath of service? Not too many. None of us were pre ordained as police officers or firefighters. We chose the path. Those who snidely talk of rolling in our clover must first raise up their right hand. Most people don’t want this job --- or its inherent pledge to duty -- but no one should demonize us for earning an equitable wage for a career of public service.
We are not the problem, the cause, or the enemy. We have gratefully accepted the salaries and benefits given to us by the officials and by the voters. We did not rob or steal or connive for any benefit we now enjoy. In most instances, those gains were hard-fought efforts from the bargaining table. There has always been lots of “give” from our side of the give-and-take.
Public service is a noble endeavor, and often emotionally rewarding. If it also offers financial security to the employee and his or her family, that neither diminishes the conviction nor taints the motivation that any of them have invested in their service and career.
