In case you were wondering, Wisconsin state workers are not overpaid relative to their private-sector counterparts:
And in general, public-sector workers are underpaid compared to those in the private sector:
As for their pensions? The shortfall has more to do with the financial crisis then it does with greedy public-sector unions:
In all, an honest account of state fiscal problems would focus mostly on the economic collapse, which sent revenues into a tailspin and cut the value of state pension funds by more than $1 trillion. Which is to say this: The Republican attack on public-sector unions has little to do with debt, deficits, and spending, and everything to do with a broader move to further roll back middle-class gains and further concentrate wealth in the hands of the privileged and powerful.
Indeed, we've been moving to this point for 30 years, with a steady stream of tax cuts for the wealthy -- funded by benefit cuts for everyone else -- and policies that shield investment banks and large corporations from the consequences of their recklessness. Whenever crisis hits, whatever the reason, the prognosis is always the same: "We must tighten our belts, and reduce services for the poor and middle-class. We could raise taxes on the wealthy, but that would be irresponsible." It was only a matter of time before the "fiscal hawks" and austerity advocates decided that we should target them, as if they were the ones who brought the economy to its knees.
Yes, the United States faces long-term fiscal problems, but there's nothing about "the math" that dictates unnecessary pain to ordinary people. The other view -- that fiscal pain will "help" the country -- is bullshit.
