Matt, Always enjoy reading your posts because of the concern you show and the inventive solutions you pose for the trials and tribulations we face just trying to get by in todays challenging world. Instead of trying to address all three posts individually, I'll combine the three and summarize to this one post addressing all. "Client Center" The state govt doesn't handle any of the social programs that are enacted. These are handed off to beauroceracies created by well meaning legislators to many times unqualified managers that were appointed as political campaign favors where the more qualified understaffers take on the everyday tasks and responsibilities. You're important to the system in that you represent $$$ to that agency. Your needs are secondary to these $$$. The way these agencies work is well known. Each one has a budget and they staff and conduct their assignmemts to fall within these $$$ parameters. What you will always see is these managers at work making sure they spend every penny of the money that is alocated to them. If they conserve like us in the public are forced to do, their budget for the next year will get cut to reflect this. Seldom will you see an agency finish the year in the black for this reason. You're just a number with a $ sign attatched to it. "public unions" While I'm not a union member, I respect the work they do in looking out for the common persons interests and providing a benchmark for the pay and benefits that stretches outside their direct field of influence. That said, their power and unwillingness to concede when the situations call for it due to economic downturns can create as many, if not more problems than solutions. Without the unions though, the common person would be at the mercy of govt and corporations and the greed and inconcern that would surely be involked. The unions are a heavy lobbying group and represent a large voting block that has vast power in influencing politics and politicians. There is no clear black and white lines to follow here, with the public caught in the middle. Luckily we are seeing more mediations by third parties that aren't directly involved with either of the parties keeping strikes down, people working and greed slomewhat in check. It's not perfect but little in life is. "budget mess" Some of the things you listed make perfect sense while most are not well thought out and would (in my opinion) be detremental to the good of the people and state. Without going into each and every one, the privitization of our resources is not the answer. Handing control of these over to groups like the sierra club and its affiliates would be a hugh didaster. These agencies are directly responsible for burning down our forests, limiting the use of our resources in a time of such great need for the shear purpose of increasing their own coffers at the expense of the peoples good. They should be hauled into court and made to pay for the transgressions and harm they have already caused. I am a firm believer and supporter of ecology thus protecting our environment and resources but using these resources wisely for the common good of all. The environmentalist movement and its groups have made a mockery of the term and CAUSED much more harm than good, as like a beauroceracy, they are interested only in themselves. The bulk of these large groups have been taken over by greedy lawyers that manipulate the system and have bilked the public out of billions by filing phoney lawsuits only for the purpose of enriching themselves at the expense of the public.
Keep posting Matt, I do like a lively debate.
Back to the Client Center, they cant even Get creative to meet needs alone.
IE & save money.
& on Unions, why should we endure Job cuts, layoffs & they DONT.
Why cant UAW train me (non Union) in some Voc Ed capacity for new skills vs dues for Obama & allies.
Those are what angers me most.
Both 2 me are leeches.
GIs killed leeches in Guadalcanal jungles in WW2.
The only Public employee unions I favor are:
Police
Fire Dept.
For any Real power & lobbying force in City Hall, etc.
All else secondary minor unions.
Dues should cover:
VocTesting
Voc Ed
Career Ed
Healthcare Benefits
Pensions?
then given Option IE Lobbying Use in DC, etc by Member.
Otherwise the above only, ALL UNIONS.
The money Unions pour into Palm Beach events could train 1-3M for new Careers & jobs alone.
Then who else will & who will Co Partner with business for this venture?
When?
