Public Sector Unions Are Killing United States

Some five million private-sector workers have lost their jobs in the last year alone, and their unemployment rate is above 9% according to the BLS. By contrast, public-sector employment has grown in virtually every month of the recession, and the jobless rate for government workers is a mere 2.8%. For anyone who thinks such low unemployment numbers are good news, remember that the bulging public sector must be paid for with revenues that most governments don't currently have. This is one reason for a spate of state and local tax increases, such as $5 billion in tax increases New York state passed in April, and $12 billion in tax increases California's legislature agreed to in February that will only become law if voters pass a series of ballot initiatives next week. _WSJ_via_NewsAlert

If you are a member of a government employee public sector union, enjoy your job security while it lasts. And try to keep a low profile. Because there are a lot of angry, unemployed people out there who are hurting because of your unions. For now, your unions can keep these angry citizens and other taxpayers from upsetting the applecart. Unions have government officials and elected representatives in their pockets. Union PR flacks can hold off any voter initiatives that threaten the gravy train -- for now.

...powerful and savvy, public unions have moved effectively to quash antitax movements. In New Jersey, public unions derailed a taxpayer revolt in 2005 by using their legislative clout to water down a bill that would have created a state constitutional convention to enact property-tax reform. Meanwhile, under pressure from unions, state legislatures in places like Florida have been tightening rules and requirements for passing voter initiatives and referenda -- blunting a favorite tool of antitax groups.

In states like Iowa where public unionization rates are still low government workers have had to accept concessions. But allies of the unions in Washington are working to rectify that situation with union-friendly legislation like the card check bill, which will make organizing much easier.

In the private sector such efforts will still be subject to the demands of the marketplace. Employers who are too generous with pay and benefits will be punished. In the public sector, however, more union members means more voters. And more voters means more dollars for political campaigns to elect sympathetic politicians who will enact higher taxes to foot the bill for the upward arc of government spending on workers. That will be the pattern for the indefinite future unless taxpayers find a way to roll back the enormous power public workers have acquired.

Are you thinking that this huge union power grab is likely to lead to violence? Eventually, of course it will. For now, if you can grab a piece of the loot -- including some of the most ungodly generous pensions in the country -- go ahead. Obama and Pelosi are on your side. But watch your back. More and more people every day are beginning to watch it, and you may not like what they are thinking.