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I'm sure the states have plenty of money to do that, That would be like telling them to maintain their own highways. What a laugh, lower taxes on trhe rich and take from Police and Firemen
Yes, they should maintain their own highways. What's wrong with that?
Why would the FEDERAL government pay such a benefit for state and local employees? Heck, they don't give those kinds of benefits to FEDERAL employees killed in the line of duty in the military.
Firefighters are not just for fighting fires. They are our first responders for wrecks, health incidences, and that cat stuck in the tree. When we need them, we need them. Ask all those affected by forest fires that jumped into neighborhoods all around the country. Ask Texans who last year were hit by fires that could have been better handled absent budget cuts in firefighting.
Because all these people provide all these services we want and need, we would normally have a rather large fondness for them in the aggregate. Moreover we would rightfully want them compensated well.
This is anathema to Right Wing vision of government. They do not want a public sector with teachers, police, firefighters, and other public employees. They want to relegate all these services to private corporations.
How would they accomplish this? It is a two stage process. Firstly, Americans must be convinced that government is inherently wasteful and inefficient. Secondly, the public sector must be demonized by asserting public sector employees are overpaid because of demands by corrupt unions. They have been extremely effective in having that concept metastasized in much of the American psyche.
This is anathema to Right Wing vision of government. They do not want a public sector with teachers, police, firefighters, and other public employees. They want to relegate all these services to private corporations.
How would they accomplish this? It is a two stage process. Firstly, Americans must be convinced that government is inherently wasteful and inefficient. Secondly, the public sector must be demonized by asserting public sector employees are overpaid because of demands by corrupt unions. They have been extremely effective in having that concept metastasized in much of the American psyche.
The reason why some want these things privatized is because so often the government is wasteful and inefficient. The answer is not in trying to convince people otherwise as it's so easy to look around them and see examples but in demanding the programs become more efficient.
What the going rates are for Firefighters and Policemen for private sector health and life insurance? Are these even available? Even so a $300,000 death payment works out to less than a $15,000 a year annuity.
Some government services may be inept but, because of the relentless drive to increase profits and a complete lack of ethics, the private sector is always inimical. Remember a private fire service only has to fight fires in homes that have purchased their services; Public fire departments have to fight every fire. Even a tightwad RWA’s.
This is anathema to Right Wing vision of government. They do not want a public sector with teachers, police, firefighters, and other public employees. They want to relegate all these services to private corporations.
How would they accomplish this? It is a two stage process. Firstly, Americans must be convinced that government is inherently wasteful and inefficient. Secondly, the public sector must be demonized by asserting public sector employees are overpaid because of demands by corrupt unions. They have been extremely effective in having that concept metastasized in much of the American psyche.
The reason why some want these things privatized is because so often the government is wasteful and inefficient. The answer is not in trying to convince people otherwise as it's so easy to look around them and see examples but in demanding the programs become more efficient.
Teachers, firefighters and policemen are not federal employees. You pay property taxes either directly or as part of your rent to support the ones you've hired. Your beef is local. It's the Democrats who keep dragging them into the federal conversation. If you want them to have what they want pay more state and local taxes.
So Senator Coburn would leave the survivors of Volunteer Firemen with squat if they die saving his house?
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They get paid, don't they? Is that their career choice? Many dangerous jobs, most don't get extra support like that.
What makes police and fireman special? As many state, they don't keep you safe. They don't protect you. They clean up the mess 99% of the time. Janitors don't get special compensation.
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