Wisconsin Teachers Fringe Benefits

[Guest]

Holy Catfish! Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal regarding teachers' fringe benefits in Wisconsin...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703408604576164290717724956.html#m od=djemWMP_t

The number that jumped off the page for me is the cost of the teachers' health insurance...38.8% of total pay, with the average teacher making $56,500? That's a premium for health insurance of $1,827 per month.

Talk about a Cadillac plan. Cripes, I wonder what's covered? Do they have any deductible or co-pays at all?

Then look at the various pension plans they have, for which they pay nothing. Contributions made by the state totaling almost 23% of their salary. I'm here to tell you that what that means is that they will retire with monthly payments pretty close to their salary when they were working. I've heard of sweet deals before, but nothing that even comes close to approaching this.

I'm with their Governor on this one.

[Guest]

"I've heard of sweet deals before, but nothing that even comes close to approaching this."

Not Unless you take a look at the healthcare benefits, pensions, salaries, and perks that our members of Congress receive.

[Guest]

Holy Catfish! Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal regarding teachers' fringe benefits in Wisconsin...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703408604576164290717724956.html#m od=djemWMP_t

The number that jumped off the page for me is the cost of the teachers' health insurance...38.8% of total pay, with the average teacher making $56,500? That's a premium for health insurance of $1,827 per month.

Talk about a Cadillac plan. Cripes, I wonder what's covered? Do they have any deductible or co-pays at all?

Then look at the various pension plans they have, for which they pay nothing. Contributions made by the state totaling almost 23% of their salary. I'm here to tell you that what that means is that they will retire with monthly payments pretty close to their salary when they were working. I've heard of sweet deals before, but nothing that even comes close to approaching this.

I'm with their Governor on this one.

These plans are also for life. They don't end when the recipient reaches the age of Medicare (65) like in most private health care plans. They turn into free supplemental plans, which cover the whole family.

[Guest]

Methinks that Midge should sneak a look at some of the golden retirement plans, perks, salaries, etc of CEO's of large corporations - even to include many charities.

You will find that while Congress is not going to the poor house, they are no where near the multi-million dollar packages of corporate CEO's.

By the way, Midge, have you pulled more out of Social Security and Medicare than you contributed?

[Guest]

Methinks that Midge should sneak a look at some of the golden retirement plans, perks, salaries, etc of CEO's of large corporations - even to include many charities.

You will find that while Congress is not going to the poor house, they are no where near the multi-million dollar packages of corporate CEO's.

By the way, Midge, have you pulled more out of Social Security and Medicare than you contributed?


CEO's of large corporations = profit making companies

Public employees (congress and teachers and congress) = taxpayers money AND NO contribution at all

Social Security and Medicare = paid into it and had NO VOTE AS TO WHETHER I WANTED TO !!!!1

[Guest]

Bucco,
I was a Federal government employee for 36 years at the Veterans Administration. Yes, the VA is a taxpayer supported government agency. VA does a whole lot of good - it is estimated that over 50% of the US is touched by the VA in some way. This is through VA disability payments, VA guaranteed home loans, education benefits to veterans and qualified family, specially adapted housing, VA treatments at hospitals and clinics, and finally through the National Cemetery System (which is a VA function).

I did not pay into Social Security BUT I paid into the Civil Service Retirement System at 7.5% of my salary PLUS paid into Medicare at the same rate as people in the private sector. I paid for my health insurance just like someone in the private sector. I am retired now - and still pay for health insurance. I do not collect Social Security because I did not pay into it.

Please do not demean civil service employees. For the main part, we worked hard for all of our career. There are some slugs in Federal government jobs but you can find slugs in any organization. I will generally categorize Congress as slugs.

Yes, I do think EVERYONE should contribute to their retirement and health insurance plans.

[Guest]

Holy Catfish! Check out this article from the Wall Street Journal regarding teachers' fringe benefits in Wisconsin...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703408604576164290717724956.html#m od=djemWMP_t

The number that jumped off the page for me is the cost of the teachers' health insurance...38.8% of total pay, with the average teacher making $56,500? That's a premium for health insurance of $1,827 per month.

Talk about a Cadillac plan. Cripes, I wonder what's covered? Do they have any deductible or co-pays at all?

Then look at the various pension plans they have, for which they pay nothing. Contributions made by the state totaling almost 23% of their salary. I'm here to tell you that what that means is that they will retire with monthly payments pretty close to their salary when they were working. I've heard of sweet deals before, but nothing that even comes close to approaching this.

I'm with their Governor on this one.

One of my worst experiences ever on a vacation happened in Upper Michigan and it involved two teacher from Wisconsin. It would take way way too long to tell the story. I have never ever in my life met such despicable people. My apologies to other teachers even from Wisconsin.

I'm also with the governor.:yuck::yuck:

[Guest]

Bucco,
I was a Federal government employee for 36 years at the Veterans Administration. Yes, the VA is a taxpayer supported government agency. VA does a whole lot of good - it is estimated that over 50% of the US is touched by the VA in some way. This is through VA disability payments, VA guaranteed home loans, education benefits to veterans and qualified family, specially adapted housing, VA treatments at hospitals and clinics, and finally through the National Cemetery System (which is a VA function).

I did not pay into Social Security BUT I paid into the Civil Service Retirement System at 7.5% of my salary PLUS paid into Medicare at the same rate as people in the private sector. I paid for my health insurance just like someone in the private sector. I am retired now - and still pay for health insurance. I do not collect Social Security because I did not pay into it.

Please do not demean civil service employees. For the main part, we worked hard for all of our career. There are some slugs in Federal government jobs but you can find slugs in any organization. I will generally categorize Congress as slugs.

Yes, I do think EVERYONE should contribute to their retirement and health insurance plans.

I demeaned NOBODY !

I simply pointed out where you were wrong in your sarcastic response to MIDGE when you discussed CEO's as if they stood alone and there was nobody else and then continued your barrage on Social Security and Medicaire.

[Guest]

In a story about health insurance premiums in New Hampshire, a statistic was pointed out about some small businesses having their premiums hiked up to over $700/month per employee.

That's $8400/year per person.

In 5 years, that's over $40,000.

How many people, in their earning years, spend $40,000 on health care in 5 years?

When I worked at Beth Israel Hospital, a few studies came out that were eye-opening to me.

1) Well over 50% of a person's lifetime health care spending happens in the last 2 years. Most of THAT in the last 6 months.

2) Over 50% of insurance premiums that are actually spent on health care services (as opposed to paying for overhead) are spent on less than 2% of the subscribers.

Think about what that means. I'm sure the numbers have only gotten worse in the last 20 years.

I remember when drug companies used to advertise in medical journals. Now they advertise on TV (non stop at times) and people I kow who work in doctor's offices say they have to deal with a flood of phone calls every time a new pill comes out.

How much does all that advertising cost? How much is that alone inflating our health care tab? I mean, Pepsi, with all their advertising, costs VASTLY more than the generic sodas that taste almost the same in the supermarket. Why does the $10 birth control that I used to buy for my ex-wife in 1981 now cost my daughter $30 when the manufacturing process has gotten even MORE efficient?

Why does the hospital have to PROVIDE more for less (in negotiations with the insurance companies) while the insurance companies CHARGE more for less? (Again, speaking from experience when working at a hospital - they got squeezed like crazy just to be kept on the insurance comapnies 'authorized hospitals' lists)

[Guest]

In a story about health insurance premiums in New Hampshire, a statistic was pointed out about some small businesses having their premiums hiked up to over $700/month per employee.

That's $8400/year per person.

In 5 years, that's over $40,000.

How many people, in their earning years, spend $40,000 on health care in 5 years?

When I worked at Beth Israel Hospital, a few studies came out that were eye-opening to me.

1) Well over 50% of a person's lifetime health care spending happens in the last 2 years. Most of THAT in the last 6 months.

2) Over 50% of insurance premiums that are actually spent on health care services (as opposed to paying for overhead) are spent on less than 2% of the subscribers.

Think about what that means. I'm sure the numbers have only gotten worse in the last 20 years.

I remember when drug companies used to advertise in medical journals. Now they advertise on TV (non stop at times) and people I kow who work in doctor's offices say they have to deal with a flood of phone calls every time a new pill comes out.

How much does all that advertising cost? How much is that alone inflating our health care tab? I mean, Pepsi, with all their advertising, costs VASTLY more than the generic sodas that taste almost the same in the supermarket. Why does the $10 birth control that I used to buy for my ex-wife in 1981 now cost my daughter $30 when the manufacturing process has gotten even MORE efficient?

Why does the hospital have to PROVIDE more for less (in negotiations with the insurance companies) while the insurance companies CHARGE more for less? (Again, speaking from experience when working at a hospital - they got squeezed like crazy just to be kept on the insurance comapnies 'authorized hospitals' lists)

AND if the taxpayers are paying 100% of it, that is a good deal, huh ?

[Guest]

I was talking about the premiums on small businesses.

[Guest]

After waiting 3 weeks for the Democrats to return from Illinois to vote on Governor Walkers budget repair bill, the Republicans amended the original bill to take out "fiscal issues" and passed a bill to strip collective bargaining rights from public workers. A quorum of 20 wasn't needed and the bill passed 18-1.

Check it out here: http://gatewaypundit.rightnetwork.com/

All hell is breaking loose in Madison. The democratic senators, most still in Illinois, are claiming it an injustice and the union is calling for a strike by all union employees.

More to follow but it's about time. How long should the Dems have been able to keep the state hostage? Wisconsin was in a budget crises and couldn't afford to wait any longer for the loser 14 senators to return.

About time someone stood up to the unions. Hard working taxpayers are sick and tired of paying for the new elite - union public workers!

Congratulations Governor Walker and taxpayers of Wisconsin.

[Guest]

Good ploy by the Republicans and very well played.

If the unions do call for a general strike and the strike happens, does the governor have the (a) right to terminate the strikers or (b) the cojones to terminate the strikers?

Ronnie Raygun did fire the PATCO employees on strike. He fired them because he said it was a threat to national security as well as federal government employees are prohibited by law from striking.

It will be interesting to see what Walker will do. There is no national security issue in Wisconsin and no state law about state government employees striking.

Even though I am a bleeding heart liberal, I am with the Republicans on this one.