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I actually do agree with you on some of your points. The problem I have with the entire pension system is that everyone had the opportunity to go into any job they wanted at 18 or 22. Some chose to go into the public sector and some went into the private. Now it is years later when the baby boomers are retiring and suddenly because of the over amount of retirees (right now), this whole issue has become a problem where as before it was not the case. Trust me nobody wanted to be in the public sector in the 80’s when everyone was making big bucks on the private sector...Same with the 2000’s...nobody was itching to go into the public sector then either. It is only when the private sector is hurting that it is an issue with pensions. You do have some valid points. Perhaps what they should do is start 401K’s the minute you begin working and have a mandatory 10 percent go into an account that you can have a retirement. Then even people at McD’s will have a penny to spend on retirement. to be honest, I don’t believe that anything will be done. If they decide to do away with pensions and bennies today, it would only effect those starting tomorrow.

That is wishful thinking that those working now will not have their pensions reduced or thrown out all together. We have trillions in unfunded pension plans on the state and local level driven by early retirement and over generous pensions in the first place.

All the rewriting of history about nobody wanting to go into the private sector is ludicrous. it is what public sector workers like to tell themselves when the private sector is in the doldrums.

The average sitting for a police and fire test in Ohio is over 20,000. That is for a test THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR. The last test sat in 2007 in Cleveland. UE was 3.5% and they sat 45,000+ for the test.

They NEVER go begging for employees. Because they are known to be such good jobs!

Here is a little context to my attitude about union firefighters. This is just THIS YEAR from the local newspaper about just the City of Cleveland system. This is rampant at many fire services throughout the country.

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/06/some_cleveland_firefighters_pi.html

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/05/number_of_cleveland_firefighte.html

http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2012/05/some_cleveland_firefighers_wit.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/cleveland_firefighters_paid_fo.html

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2011/11/post_541.html

This is the Cleveland Fire Department and They actually fight fires. Most of the suburban departments are every bit as corrupt and almost never fight a fire. for example Westlake Fire Dept. in our County hasn't fought a fire IN WESTLAKE, for close to three years. Some of their firefighters have NEVER fought a fire that wasn't set for training.

I am not saying firemen are not necessary, but they are NOT underpaid. They are no more underpaid than any other career field and often WAY over paid when all benefits and pensions are included. They are the Worlds most expensive insurance policy!