Williams: Clarion Call for Leadership

Armstrong Williams

Townhall - Some startling revelations have come out of the fracas going on in Wisconsin over Gov. Walker and the GOP-controlled legislature facing off against public sector unions, namely the teachers’ union. From 2001 to 2010, Wisconsin taxpayers paid more than $8 billion for state employee health care coverage, while state employees contributed only $398 million, less than 5% of the total costs. From 2000 to 2009, taxpayers paid $12.6 billion for public employee pensions, while the employees only contributed $55.4 million, less than 0.5% of the total cost. Public employees are guaranteed those final salaries for life. Not only that, you get to add on other positions for mega-pensions. So if you were a firefighter and a teacher, you get two pensions at your last salary in both jobs. Retired public employees regularly receive pension in excess of $100,000 - again, guaranteed for life. And who pays for these folks not to work? You and I, the taxpayers. We are their meal ticket for their entire lives, yet when times are tough and we ask them to share the burden, they yell and scream that they are entitled to every penny they never had to contribute. Read full column here; News New Mexico

Williams: Clarion Call for Leadership