Large numbers of us do not excuse their excesses. My only basis of comparison is the private sector. A great deal changed after 9/11. Outsourcing escalated, staff was cut and there was tremdous pressure upon corporate management to increase earnings - ie. return on investment. There have been rampant layoffs and the job stats are lies. You are replacing $50 - $100K jobs with service jobs - waiters, bartenders, etc. and calling that resumption of employment. The unions are out of touch. What these transit workers have now is a better deal than most of the private sector. They should just shut up and appreciate what they have or, hopefully, the legislature will step in and cut them down to size, but I doubt it in this state.
I respect your not wanting to live here. However, I come from the mid-west (here since the 60's) and have found this town to be culturally rich with tremendous opportunities albeit the fact that we take public transportation. I'm very happy not to have the burden of a car. I've also met and interacted with a quality of people that I doubt I would find in most of the differently colored states. There are smart people everywhere, but this town is a cut above the rest.
Care to explain?
I've always considered a car the key to personal mobility, privacy, freedom -- only a burden when it's not running right. But then it's my responsibility to have it fixed.
When the subways aren't running, whose responsibility is it?