[TorpX]

Originally Posted by gimpy117

you're kidding? The same can be said of corporations who pay off politicians for favorable laws, or pet projects that always seem to go over budget, and never really deliver.

its funny how the world goes both ways

I agree that corporate welfare and political corruption are problems that need to be dealt with. The problem of the Federal and State governments inability to reduce spending is paramount. When a corrupt mayor or congressman pushes through a bad deal it is bad, but when a state school system can and public sector can extort billions from taxpayers by holding school children hostage, it is much worse.

If a company or private union are foolish or corrupt, I can refuse to deal with them and buy from the competition. Since they know this they have a strong incentive to behave themselves. With the public sector there are no restraints. The taxpayers must pay and pay. The public schools can not be allowed to go out of business and it is always easier for politicians to raise taxes than to cut spending.

I have followed the events in Wisconsin with keen interest, since I live next door in Illinois. My state is in just as bad condition as Wis. (maybe worse), but so far nothing has been done to remedy the situation. Our governor use to talk about spending restaint, but now behaves like a liberal trained seal. He has signed tax increases and has made only token spending cuts. This may "solve" the problem in the short term, but can only accelerate Illinois decline long term. The Democrats have solid control of the state and there is not likely to be any serious attempt to deal with the problem any time soon. However, the situation cannot continue for very long, because economic realities simply will not permit it. Ordinary people will not be able to afford taxes and prices going up and up, with no end in sight. Few politicians seem to be willing to face this fact.