[cripplecreek]

Its more like the unions manipulated and blackmailed the politicians, while sticking it to the taxpayer to receive benefits that could never have been paid.

Those politicians were willing participants. They knew it was unsustainable but as long as the union leadership kept delivering the votes they were just fine with it.

If it were up to me I'd strip city council members and union leadership of personal property, auction it off and pay down some of the debt.

[CitizenUSA]

“Those politicians were willing participants.”

You beat me to it, but I see we agree. The unions weren’t manipulating the politicians so much as working together to plunder taxpayers. The education establishment is very much the same. They basically sell their votes to those politicians who can best deliver the goods. It has nothing to do with delivering better service to the community (as government workers) or educating the children. It’s all about payola.