Buzz,
I think most in this country realize we are broke and everyone is going to have to cinch their belts. What is happening is a shakedown of unions, whether it be NJ, WI, OH or airline unions. They (ultra wealthy, multi-natls, etc.) are trying to further diminish the middle class, thus more money, less or no taxes for themselves. What would your feelings be if a group of politicians attacked your earned retirement and tricare? My guess is you and other veterans would go bat****. Sorta like the teachers and other union members are now. If, big if we are going to turn this ship around EVERYONE is going to have to pony up. Workers are going to pay more taxes, corps. are going to have to lose some loopholes, write offs on taxes will need to be eliminated or reduced, politicians are going to have to give up their full pensions and health care for life after 1 or 2 terms (maybe pro-rate those based on years served) those on SS will have to take a hit, same with medicare, military retirees(especially hire paid officers) will have to take a 10-15% pay hit and pay more for tricare. My guess is most fiscal conservatives won't like it when they come after their benefits, but it is ok to go after others. So, Buzz. What say you?
Originally Posted by
buzzpat
And my grandfather, my father, and I were all commissioned officers in the military....no union. My point is this, for every tax dollar an American pays to the federal, state or local government is one less dollar of discretionary income they have to purchase an airline ticket. Conversely, government employees, like military servicemen and women, "serve." Corporations, like ours, produce a commodity. If customers can't purchase a commodity, we perish.
The government hires servants, corporations hire employees. Never once in my 20 years in the military did I expect a union to represent me. I signed up to serve. Now, living in California, I have no interest in paying any more of my 10% of state income tax to fund any more incompetency or continue to add to an already bankrupt state.
The governor of Wisconsin, whether Republican or not, is right on. You can't write checks you can't cash. We, in the legacy airlines, have certainly bitten the bullet over the last 8 or nine years, while state government employees have seen a 28% increase in income (in CA, for example). This is not a left vs. right thing, this is a fiscally-responsible thing. God bless your parents and their service to Chicago and Illinois. Presently, I'm worried about my job at Delta, my children and their future. Color me a little bit uncertain, but I'm not hanging my future, or theirs, on our union or anything.
Nothing personal New. I just beg to differ.