With that said, government bureaucrats, who already enjoy above average pay, benefits and retirement, are not working in sweat shops. They are not, as far as I know, working in conditions that are any more dangerous than private industry. In fact, it seems that for many of them, a paper cut may be the biggest risk they face on a daily basis.  So why do they need mandatory collective bargaining units?  Why should bureaucrats be able to use a tool that was designed for the blue-collar working class to demand raises and extra vacation time?  They shouldn't.  

They should be contributing to their medical premiums like the rest of us. They should transition out of ridiculous pension systems that can't possibly be supported, just like the rest of us have.  They should be giving concessions, just like the private industry union members and just like the rest of us.  But they won't. Public servants have, in some cases, become role models for the entitlement mentality.  While the private sector is struggling just to keep breathing, they are demanding air freshener.  

What is sad is that there are some great public sector workers, but they are required to belong to unions that tend to give them a bad name.  These citizens deserve the opportunity to work as a public servant without being forced to join a union.  Just imagine if the Legislators unionized and to pursue raises or increased benefits.... oh wait, they can just vote that for themselves anyway.  

Here's my point; government is too big, too expensive, and has gone way beyond its authority, using your money to pay the tab. As long as government bureaucrats and public servants can demand mandatory membership into their unions, these key financial issues will never change.  How much money is on the line?  Hundreds of millions of dollars.  If every one of the 17,000 public sector employees contributed 12% of their medical premiums (which is about half what the private sector contributes), we would save millions.  If we switched all public sector employees to a 401k system instead of a pension system, it would have a long term positive impact on our State.

So maybe we need a serious look at government bureaucrat and public sector employees who face mandatory union membership, pay almost nothing towards benefits and have an unsustainable retirement system.  Michigan needs to be pulled from the bottom of the lake and given some CPR.  The lifeguards, charged with protecting our financial future, are instead fighting over sunblock and who gets to sit in the big chair next.   It is time for We the People to dive in, pull Michigan on to the shore, and start some resuscitation.

See you Saturday!  www.teapartyconvention.com