“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.
I’ve got lots of reasons to dislike Rick Snyder but I am really glad that he finally forced this to a head and brought it all out in the open. I just wish someone had done it 30 years ago.