Comments on: Pensions, OccupyOakland & SF mayor on ‘TWINC’

By: John W

John W — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 20:51:56 +0000

Re: #3

That’s a depressing assessment. I think Brown is sincere but knows he has an uphill battle. The problem with getting it done independent of the governor or legislature via a ballot measure is that there is no definable group that has both the self-interest and deep pockets to make it happen. Prop. 13, love it or hate it, had broad popular support. But it was deep-pocketed, self-interested commercial property interests who made it happen. Unions have both the interest and deep pockets to protect the status quo. There’s no counter-party to that. Where are the Koch Brothers when we need them?

By: Rick K.

Rick K. — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:02:49 +0000

The 3% at 50 pension scheme for public safety workers needs to be abolished. Rank-and-file firefighters, police officers, prison guards, etc. should not be given pensions of $100,000+ per year for life beginning at age 50. All other public services are decimated and there are calls for tax increases in order to support these “lottery winners” and their lavish lifestyles. It’s disgusting that these “entitled” “public servants” are able to buy homes in Alamo and Orinda and beach houses while most hard-working private citizens are forced to live off of Social Security and meager 401(k)’s in retirement. This is all window dressing, just like San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee’s Proposition C, created only because Jeff Adachi had the courage to put Proposition D on the ballot and place the pension reform issue on the political agenda there. Jerry Brown does not want any real pension reform. Nor do his the public-employee union controlled Democrats in the Legislature.

By: Elwood

Elwood — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 06:00:34 +0000

It’s my understanding that pension reform would have to be approved by both the legislature and a vote of the people.

Jerry has about as much chance of getting pension reform through the dimmiecrat controlled legislature (a wholly owned subsidiary of the public employee unions) as a snow ball in a slow pitch game in hell.

By: John W

John W — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 04:49:03 +0000

Since Josh referenced Jerry Brown’s pension proposal, what’s everybody think? I was pleasantly surprised. My concerns are that (1) it will get watered down and (2) no proposed changes for public safety, whose costs make up a major share of local government budgets.

By: Elwood

Elwood — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 01:04:34 +0000

Jean Quan should not be in charge of a meat market.

She changes her mind as often as she changes her underwear.

Thanks to her and the useful idiots on the Oakland City Council the inmates are now in charge of the asylum.

It’s Freakfest 2011!