[ClaytonP]

The retirees were promised too much in many cases.

"Promised too much" hardly describes it.

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.

[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.

[kitchen]

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.

Manipulation and blackmail aren't necessary. Unions turn out the vote for rats, rats reciprocate by approving hefty pay and benefit increases. Rinse, repeat, every two years. You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

[CitizenUSA]

“...the unions manipulated and blackmailed the politicians...”

I’d call it collusion. We are talking about Democrats here. The unions colluded with Democrat politicians to carve out generous benefits in return for votes. It worked very well for both groups...until OPM ran out.