tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post7587768588595977074..comments2024-03-28T11:21:19.200-04:00Comments on The Gossips of Rivertown: Things to Do TodayCarole Osterinkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16010623982526286408noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723709701684173708.post-43947547194983183322010-05-18T09:47:39.328-04:002010-05-18T09:47:39.328-04:00Mort Zuckerman in U.S.News & World Report, May...Mort Zuckerman in U.S.News & World Report, May 14, 2010:<br /><br />"In New York, public service employees have received gold-plated perks for much of the 20th century, especially generous health insurance benefits. ...<br /><br />"California is a horrible warning for the nation of how dreams can turn to dust. In most states, politicians face a contracting local economy and shortfalls in tax receipts. Naturally, they look to cut expenses but run into obstruction from politically powerful unions that represent state and local government employees, teachers, and healthcare workers who have themselves caused pension and healthcare insurance costs to soar. ...<br /><br />"The lopsided subsidies for pension and health costs are a large part of the fiscal crises at the state and local levels. The subsequent squeeze on education and infrastructure investment is undermining the very programs that have made it possible for our economy to grow—thousands upon thousands of teachers let go, schools closed ...."<br /><br />http://www.usnews.com/articles/opinion/mzuckerman/2010/05/14/the-crippling-price-of-public-employee-unions.html<br /><br />- T. O'ConnorAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com