Governor Christie Takes State Helicopter

[Guest]

to son's baseball game and returns to his office to meet with political supporter. So much for defending the poor taxpayer. My favorite part is that he couldn't walk 100 yards to his seat. He had to have a limo drive him 300 feet. No wonder he's so overweight.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/06/01/2011-06-01_new_jersey_gov_chris_christie_thumped_by_critic s_for_taking_police_chopper_to_so.html

[Guest]

The article explains that the helicopter has been made available to previous Governors. However, my man Chris should have been wiser than to let his guard down making him vulnerable to critics just looking to beat him down. so shame on you Chris

[Guest]

The article explains that the helicopter has been made available to previous Governors. However, my man Chris should have been wiser than to let his guard down making him vulnerable to critics just looking to beat him down. so shame on you Chris

explode. I don't think voters would vote for someone as obese as him for president.

[Guest]

So what. Obama plays golf nine weeks in a row while our economy crumbles.

Bet he took the chopper a few times too. Actually that would be 3 choppers at a time. Two are decoys, one he flys in.

Good post though. Keep digging, mayby you'll eventually find something mildly interesting.

[Guest]

So what. Obama plays golf nine weeks in a row while our economy crumbles.

Bet he took the chopper a few times too. Actually that would be 3 choppers at a time. Two are decoys, one he flys in.

Good post though. Keep digging, you'll eventually find something interesting.

is this the guy you want running the country? BTW, the secret service determines how the president travels. Also, Bush spent billions on his needless war in Iraq, and spent his many vacation weeks walking around his ranch in Texas while innocent soldiers and civilians died. Did that bother you? Don't bother responding. I already know the answer.

[Guest]

I haven't heard he's running for Presadent. Did I miss something?

btw, you have something against overweight people? I thought libs were the caring, tolerant, accepting ones.

Guess not.

[Guest]

I haven't heard he's running for Presadent. Did I miss something?

btw, you have something against overweight people? I thought libs were the caring, tolerant, accepting ones.

Guess not.

yeah that bothers me. Shows a sense of entitlement, or a very lazy guy.

[Guest]

So you're saying in your opionion, people who are overweight show a sense of entitlement, or a very lazy person? Someone overweight isn't qualified to run our country?

[Guest]

Very shallow, Actor; and very childish.

[Guest]

The article explains that the helicopter has been made available to previous Governors. However, my man Chris should have been wiser than to let his guard down making him vulnerable to critics just looking to beat him down. so shame on you Chris


so just because every other gov did it makes it okay for this gov to do it?

this gov has preached 'shared sacrifice' since he campaigned for office - but he is not sacrificing anything!

[Guest]

He's not sacrificing anything less than Obama does.


"Everybody, not just one group, must be ready to give up something to help push the U.S. economic recovery, President Obama told the nation's governors Monday.

"Shared sacrifice" should be the catch phrase, Obama told the National Governors Association. "If all the pain is shared by one group … that's not good for anyone."

I don't see Obama or the Federal Government for that matter sacrificing one damn thing.

[Guest]

so just because every other gov did it makes it okay for this gov to do it?

this gov has preached 'shared sacrifice' since he campaigned for office - but he is not sacrificing anything!

Are you on the Governor's staff or are otherwise privy to his commitments? It seems the Governor has used air travel judiciously. This is just another liberal attempt to slay the dragon they fear. (I mean the liberal media highlighting this story and not necessarily you)

Also the State Police have a story for you.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/state_police_say_gov_christies.html

[Guest]

For the record, I think Gov. Christie is a very sexy man. Not only do I find him physically attractive; but his personality and his intelligence also contribute to his appeal. My husband is a big man and he's sexy as well. Maybe some smaller men have big man envy and they think it builds them up to put down big men. Perhaps a Napolean complex or some other insecurity that would cause someone to insult and make derogatory remarks about someone's physical appearance. Like some have done with Sarah Palin's family. It is mean spirited and wrong.

BTW, the state police helicopter didn't cost the taxpayers any addtional monies, according to the NJ State Police.

..."State Police said the governor’s trip took one hour, at an estimated cost of about $2,500. But State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes said Christie’s use of the helicopter carried “no additional cost to taxpayers or the State Police budget.

“'It is important to understand that State Police helicopters fly daily homeland security missions, and use flight time for training purposes, more so lately as we acclimate our pilots to the new aircraft,' Fuentes said in a statement released Wednesday. 'These are flight hours that would be logged in any event.'”



http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/06/01/christies-helicopter-rides-dont-cost-taxpayers/?mod=google_news_blog

[Guest]

For the record, I think Gov. Christie is a very sexy man. Not only do I find him physically attractive; but his personality and his intelligence also contribute to his appeal. My husband is a big man and he's sexy as well. Maybe some smaller men have big man envy and they think it builds them up to put down big men. Perhaps a Napolean complex or some other insecurity that would cause someone to insult and make derogatory remarks about someone's physical appearance. Like some have done with Sarah Palin's family. It is mean spirited and wrong.

BTW, the state police helicopter didn't cost the taxpayers any addtional monies, according to the NJ State Police.

..."State Police said the governor’s trip took one hour, at an estimated cost of about $2,500. But State Police Superintendent Rick Fuentes said Christie’s use of the helicopter carried “no additional cost to taxpayers or the State Police budget.

“'It is important to understand that State Police helicopters fly daily homeland security missions, and use flight time for training purposes, more so lately as we acclimate our pilots to the new aircraft,' Fuentes said in a statement released Wednesday. 'These are flight hours that would be logged in any event.'”



http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/06/01/christies-helicopter-rides-dont-cost-taxpayers/?mod=google_news_blog

because I'm not 100 lbs overweight.

[Guest]

So you're saying in your opionion, people who are overweight show a sense of entitlement, or a very lazy person? Someone overweight isn't qualified to run our country?

I said a governor who needs to take a limo rather than walk 300 feet either feels a sense of entitlement, or is a very lazy guy. Get it?

[Guest]

Actor, I am turned off by actions that appear to be elitist. Having said that you might want to look at wht it costs the taxpers and the entourage that travels with Obama and his family. He carries so many people, such as three different chefs, Cadillac Limo's etc. It has reported to ru n in the millions and millions for these trips. Explain for instance why his wife and kids get a free trip to Spain? Christie is a piker next to the elitist Obama.

Now I find it contradictory that you discrimate against people whom you perceive to not fit your image of normal.... Perhaps not since Dems have build a huge food police force attempting to dictate what a person will eat and won't eat..and how much

So I agree that we should alll challenge those in power who feel priviledge to take advantage but we must be fair and balanced in our approach.

[Guest]

So what. Obama plays golf nine weeks in a row while our economy crumbles


And Nero fiddled while Rome burned.....what's your point?

[Guest]

So what. Obama plays golf nine weeks in a row while our economy crumbles.

Bet he took the chopper a few times too. Actually that would be 3 choppers at a time. Two are decoys, one he flys in.

Good post though. Keep digging, mayby you'll eventually find something mildly interesting.

This is the standard Republican defense! Did Obama play golf everyday for 9 weeks? Do you have any credible proof that he actually played golf 9 times?

Show me the proof!!!!!!

[Guest]

Sorry, 8. Probably 9 or 10 by now.

Headline May 11th.

"Obama goes golfing for a record 69th time and eighth straight week before popping off to Europe for another vacation."

Personally I don't really care. The more time he spends playing golf the less time he has to damage the country any more than he already has. Guess it doesn't really matter as he has his other foxes watching the henhouse.

[Guest]

Actor, I am turned off by actions that appear to be elitist. Having said that you might want to look at wht it costs the taxpers and the entourage that travels with Obama and his family. He carries so many people, such as three different chefs, Cadillac Limo's etc. It has reported to ru n in the millions and millions for these trips. Explain for instance why his wife and kids get a free trip to Spain? Christie is a piker next to the elitist Obama.

Now I find it contradictory that you discrimate against people whom you perceive to not fit your image of normal.... Perhaps not since Dems have build a huge food police force attempting to dictate what a person will eat and won't eat..and how much

So I agree that we should alll challenge those in power who feel priviledge to take advantage but we must be fair and balanced in our approach.

treatment when he was in office? BTW, all that nonsense about how much Obama's trips cost has been proven to be BS, including the lies about the trip to Spain.

[Guest]

I wonder if in some future Presidential election the Republican candidate was thin and the Democrat was overweight who a certain person here would vote for? Maybe by then thin people will be considered by some lazy and entitled and the overweight hard workers.

The truth of the matter is, the left's hatred for anyone or anything conservative whether they are running for office or not holds no bounds and no rules.

Even if it is perceived they MAY have the slightest notion to run for office they will be summarily attacked and ripped to shreds even in the most personal way.

Meanwhile, Obama goes unscrutinized by the left no matter what he does or says.

[Guest]

Are you on the Governor's staff or are otherwise privy to his commitments? It seems the Governor has used air travel judiciously. This is just another liberal attempt to slay the dragon they fear. (I mean the liberal media highlighting this story and not necessarily you)

Also the State Police have a story for you.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/06/state_police_say_gov_christies.html

richie - you probably know a little less than i do about the gov's scheduling since you left this state - but i still live there and i follow the parts of his schedule that are made public. the night of this episode the gov had to leave the game to get to the gov's mansion [where he does not live but uses it for his special mtgs and events] where he was hosting the iowa republicans who are courting him for a presidential run in '12 or '16 - did the taxpayers pay for that dinner? the dinners he has hosted for other republican govs like haley barber might be state business, but they have at the same time included accepting a contribution for the state republican party [haley loves to pat himself on the back about his generosity!]! the trip to the kid's game was a personal event and not a state event - let him pay out of his pocket for the flight and for his car that drove to the game to drive him from the hilo to the game! he is not leading this state by example! he is all do as i say and not as i do.

i voted for this man because he sounded like the man who was going to get things done! he has NOT! he has a dog and pony show that he takes around the state where he berates teachers and public sector employees and the day after says he really meant to berate their unions! he claims to love collective bargaining but he refuses to bargain the issue of employee healthcare which is a contract provision. he claimed he would not obey a supreme court ruling should the court rule that the state had to increase funding for special needs districts - the court ruled the state must - and christie rolled over and said okay. he refuses to sit down with the teacher's union reps to discuss the need and the process to change the right to tenure - where is he getting his information - from his mothe who was a teacher? the state commissioner of education worked with teachers and various other state educators to develop the application for the run to the top funds - christie did not like some of the provisions and pulled them to be replaced with what he did want - the application failed - and washington said it failed to include goals such as the ones that the gov pulled out!

he has accomplished one good thing for the good of all state residents and that is the elimination of an early release from prison to parole - sentences will be served - until some other bozo comes along to change things again. his other accomplishment has been the pitting of private sector against public sector and/or the haves against the have nots - and that is not a good thing. newspaper and website posters scream about taxpayers bearing the burden for supporting teachers and public employees - as if those public employees and teachers were not taxpayers!

this gov is derisive and divisive. it has to be his way or the highway! i am still wondering what happened to the candidate who campaigned on the politics of inclusion. this gov gripes about public employees thinking they are entitled to their pensions and benefits [which according to legal decisions, they are under law as it is currently written] - but he can sure play the entitlement card for himeslf!

[Guest]

he is all do as i say and not as i do.

i voted for this man because he sounded like the man who was going to get things done! he has NOT

derisive and divisive.

it has to be his way or the highway!

I'm confused. Did the conversation switch back to Obama?

[Guest]

Sorry, 8. Probably 9 or 10 by now.

Headline May 11th.

"Obama goes golfing for a record 69th time and eighth straight week before popping off to Europe for another vacation."

Personally I don't really care. The more time he spends playing golf the less time he has to damage the country any more than he already has. Guess it doesn't really matter as he has his other foxes watching the henhouse.

Geez... I checked he plays golf on the weekend as do I cause I still work. I did take off for The Villages Cup!! I think the trip to Europe included a State visit to England and a G8 meeting.

[Guest]

If my company was in shambles and nearly bankrupt I doubt I'd be out paying golf all the time. But like I said, I really don't care. Anything to keep him out of Washington. But that doesn't seem to help either.

[Guest]

richie - you probably know a little less than i do about the gov's scheduling since you left this state - but i still live there and i follow the parts of his schedule that are made public. the night of this episode the gov had to leave the game to get to the gov's mansion [where he does not live but uses it for his special mtgs and events] where he was hosting the iowa republicans who are courting him for a presidential run in '12 or '16 - did the taxpayers pay for that dinner? the dinners he has hosted for other republican govs like haley barber might be state business, but they have at the same time included accepting a contribution for the state republican party [haley loves to pat himself on the back about his generosity!]! the trip to the kid's game was a personal event and not a state event - let him pay out of his pocket for the flight and for his car that drove to the game to drive him from the hilo to the game! he is not leading this state by example! he is all do as i say and not as i do.

i voted for this man because he sounded like the man who was going to get things done! he has NOT! he has a dog and pony show that he takes around the state where he berates teachers and public sector employees and the day after says he really meant to berate their unions! he claims to love collective bargaining but he refuses to bargain the issue of employee healthcare which is a contract provision. he claimed he would not obey a supreme court ruling should the court rule that the state had to increase funding for special needs districts - the court ruled the state must - and christie rolled over and said okay. he refuses to sit down with the teacher's union reps to discuss the need and the process to change the right to tenure - where is he getting his information - from his mothe who was a teacher? the state commissioner of education worked with teachers and various other state educators to develop the application for the run to the top funds - christie did not like some of the provisions and pulled them to be replaced with what he did want - the application failed - and washington said it failed to include goals such as the ones that the gov pulled out!

he has accomplished one good thing for the good of all state residents and that is the elimination of an early release from prison to parole - sentences will be served - until some other bozo comes along to change things again. his other accomplishment has been the pitting of private sector against public sector and/or the haves against the have nots - and that is not a good thing. newspaper and website posters scream about taxpayers bearing the burden for supporting teachers and public employees - as if those public employees and teachers were not taxpayers!

this gov is derisive and divisive. it has to be his way or the highway! i am still wondering what happened to the candidate who campaigned on the politics of inclusion. this gov gripes about public employees thinking they are entitled to their pensions and benefits [which according to legal decisions, they are under law as it is currently written] - but he can sure play the entitlement card for himeslf!

Sorry you feel that way but the Governor's tackling of the Teacher's Union is what I'm most proud of. The Teacher's Union's are the single most destructive force in the education of our students. I'm not talking about all NJ teacher's but their unions. They're a bunch of greedy thugs who care about themselves before all else.

Medicine is not always easy to take, but be patient and in the end you'll feel better. The gravy train has to end for the public employee who is funded by the taxes of the private sector. Time to enter the real world with the rest of us.

[Guest]

I wonder if in some future Presidential election the Republican candidate was thin and the Democrat was overweight who a certain person here would vote for? Maybe by then thin people will be considered by some lazy and entitled and the overweight hard workers.

The truth of the matter is, the left's hatred for anyone or anything conservative whether they are running for office or not holds no bounds and no rules.

Even if it is perceived they MAY have the slightest notion to run for office they will be summarily attacked and ripped to shreds even in the most personal way.

Meanwhile, Obama goes unscrutinized by the left no matter what he does or says.

Perhaps you don't remember Clinton getting flak for his love of cheeseburgers.

[Guest]

Sorry you feel that way but the Governor's tackling of the Teacher's Union is what I'm most proud of. The Teacher's Union's are the single most destructive force in the education of our students. I'm not talking about all NJ teacher's but their unions. They're a bunch of greedy thugs who care about themselves before all else.

Medicine is not always easy to take, but be patient and in the end you'll feel better. The gravy train has to end for the public employee who is funded by the taxes of the private sector. Time to enter the real world with the rest of us.

Relax Richie....take a rest...lean on your shovel. :doh:

[Guest]

Anybody take a look at Liberal/Socialist/Marxist Michael Moore lately. Sheesh

Sorry to reduce myself to the likes of the libs on this thread, but what a bunch of nasty nimrods.

[Guest]

I guess this means Michael Moore's following has ditched him.

Then again, probably not.

[Guest]

Sorry you feel that way but the Governor's tackling of the Teacher's Union is what I'm most proud of. The Teacher's Union's are the single most destructive force in the education of our students. I'm not talking about all NJ teacher's but their unions. They're a bunch of greedy thugs who care about themselves before all else.

Medicine is not always easy to take, but be patient and in the end you'll feel better. The gravy train has to end for the public employee who is funded by the taxes of the private sector. Time to enter the real world with the rest of us.

This is from a teamster? LMAO.

[Guest]

This is from a teamster? LMAO.

I worked in the private sector. Our employer has to make a profit for us to work and prosper. Because of the Obama failing economy my union made concessions in wages and benefits and pension in order for the company to survive so that we can work another day.

Teacher's Unions do not understand the concept of shared sacrifice. They need to be made to learn. Gov. Christie is the man to do it.

Now, don't you regret your ignorance on this subject, laughing boy?

[Guest]

I worked in the private sector. Our employer has to make a profit for us to work and prosper. Because of the Obama failing economy my union made concessions in wages and benefits and pension in order for the company to survive so that we can work another day.

Teacher's Unions do not understand the concept of shared sacrifice. They need to be made to learn. Gov. Christie is the man to do it.

Now, don't you regret your ignorance on this subject, laughing boy?

including teachers unions have lately been very willing to negotiate contract givebacks and other concessions to accommodate cash strapped municipalities. You must admit that a member of the teamsters union accusing anyone else of thuggery is pretty funny.

[Guest]

I guess you missed the near riots in Wisconsin and NJ and other states over teacher's union and other public union demands. As usual, you don't know what you're talking about. I am a former member of the Teamster's Union, to be precise and, like I said, we work in the private sector. It's a whole other world than the public sector, and if you don't see it, you're ignorant of the reality.

[Guest]

I guess YOU missed the fact that the teacher's unions in Wisconsin AGREED to the Governor's requests/demands for givebacks and he took away their bargaining powers ANYWAY.

That told me it was about power, not fiscal sanity.

[Guest]

I guess YOU missed the fact that the teacher's unions in Wisconsin AGREED to the Governor's requests/demands for givebacks and he took away their bargaining powers ANYWAY.

That told me it was about power, not fiscal sanity.

A liberal judge gave them back, last I heard. To say that the stripping of unbridled contract powers from public employees, particularly tenured employees is not about controlling current and future costs is a little nonsensical, in my opinion.

I wasn't totally against them, by the way, but it was only when the dice were thrown and they saw defeat at hand that they began to want to talk.

[Guest]

A liberal judge gave them back, last I heard. To say that the stripping of unbridled contract powers from public employees, particularly tenured employees is not about controlling current and future costs is a little nonsensical, in my opinion.

I wasn't totally against them, by the way, but it was only when the dice were thrown and they saw defeat at hand that they began to want to talk.

you are. You probably loved to cross picket lines. I agree with the previous poster, The unions in Wisconsin agreed to concessions. The governor, however, wanted them to give up their right to bargain, which no union would agree to do.

[Guest]

Public employee unions shouldn't have the right to collective bargain against the tax payers who foot the bill in the first place, not to mention the mandatory union dues that are also paid by the tax payers that go into democratic coffers and union boss's pockets. It's nothing more than money laundering for the democrats. It's yet another tax payer rip off.

[Guest]

gov christie got SUCH BAD press over this helicopter/car incident that it has been reported that he "reversed course" and will pay for his private use of the police helicopter! nbc nightly news reported that he has already written the check to reimburse the taxpayers! rotflmao!

[Guest]

Public employee unions shouldn't have the right to collective bargain against the tax payers who foot the bill in the first place, not to mention the mandatory union dues that are also paid by the tax payers that go into democratic coffers and union boss's pockets. It's nothing more than money laundering for the democrats. It's yet another tax payer rip off.

from the workers salaries. Next time you need a cop, I hope you let the officer know how you feel about his right to negotiate his salary.

[Guest]

Police do not have collective bargaining, at least in TN. But none the less, it's a stupid argument. No public employee and I mean no public employee on the taxpayers payroll should have collective bargaining.

I have much respect for the police though, unless of course they are overweight. I don't like people who are entitled and lazy. Thin police though, they are great!

btw, Yes Union Dues Are Deducted... from their paycheck which comes from the tax payers. Just keeping it real.

[Guest]

you are. You probably loved to cross picket lines. I agree with the previous poster, The unions in Wisconsin agreed to concessions. The governor, however, wanted them to give up their right to bargain, which no union would agree to do.

Actually, that's incorrect. They still would have had the right to bargain for salary under the governor's plan.

Public employees have to feel the pain like the rest of the country, who pay for their salaries and perks for your information, and that includes private union members also.

You still won't address the difference in the private and public sectors because you know you're wrong and don't have a leg to stand on.

[Guest]

Actually, that's incorrect. They still would have had the right to bargain for salary under the governor's plan.

Public employees have to feel the pain like the rest of the country, who pay for their salaries and perks for your information, and that includes private union members also.

You still won't address the difference in the private and public sectors because you know you're wrong and don't have a leg to stand on.

Actually, you are incorrect Richie. :doh:

[Guest]

The Federal government allows unions for Federal employees. There is the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), and others.

The bargaining is not over wages - although union reps do sit in on locality pay talks - but the main reason for the unions is to ensure proper enforcement of merit promotion, selection for positions, disciplinary procedures, and items like that.

Everyone in Federal government (General Schedule positions) gets the same base pay for their grade level. Wage grade positions (blue collar) are locality based and matched with equal jobs in the private sector. This is accomplished through wage surveys in different locales of the country.

[Guest]

Actually, you are incorrect Richie. :doh:

great reply. Incorrect, how?

[Guest]

great reply. Incorrect, how?

I stand corrected. The Wisconsin employee's unions would still be able to negotiate wages but only as pegged in some fashion to the Consumer Price Index..that would limit the scope of their negotiating but seems fair enough to me. :wave:

[Guest]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MICHELLE_OBAMA_AFRICA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT



http://http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MICHELLE_OBAMA_AFRICA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT (http://http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_MICHELLE_OBAMA_AFRICA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT)

Is she FLOTUS or FLOTW (First Lady Of The World)?

[Guest]

Hancie,

Mrs. Obama is not the first First Lady to travel overseas without the President. Did you get your shorts in a wedgie when Laura Bush did it? Who paid for Laura and her entourage (including a daughter)? http://www.arts.mcgill.ca/history/faculty/TROYWEB/LauraBushpreparesforfirstsolotripabroad.htm

Second citing is from your Bible - Fox News.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182007,00.html

Maybe you should research before you post.

[Guest]

Hancie,

Mrs. Obama is not the first First Lady to travel overseas without the President. Did you get your shorts in a wedgie when Laura Bush did it? Who paid for Laura and her entourage (including a daughter)? http://www.arts.mcgill.ca/history/faculty/TROYWEB/LauraBushpreparesforfirstsolotripabroad.htm

Second citing is from your Bible - Fox News.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182007,00.html

Maybe you should research before you post.

Hold it, hold it, hold it. Reality Check!! ding, ding, ding,.............

Bugs; this thread was started to berate a leading Republican who's become a national figure and political powerhouse over his possible use of tax dollars to travel.

The original wedgie in the shorts belonged to your liberal cohort, Actor. Let's just make that point clear.

Then stories came up to show an number of trips of questionable national value by the Royal.......excuse me.........the Presidential Family to show some balance and some hypocritical thinking on this subject.

Now you're trying to chide those posters for bringing that up because Republicans have taken trips also?

What kind of merry-go-round is this?

[Guest]

What kind of merry-go-round is this?

One, you obviously won't ride. :doh:

[Guest]

One, you obviously won't ride. :doh: Anyone who is any way interested in dealing with facts and the truth is not going to join you on this ride.

[Guest]

Actor, I suppose I have lead a sheltered life but in all my years, I have never had a police officer help me.

But to the point. A retired police officer from Tampa was looking at TV. I'l assume what he said was not hyperbole but he claimed he made in excess of $100,000 a year and that after 20 years of working his pension would be 95% of his salary and he had free medical.

There are not too many private sector jobs that offer even half that amount as pensions even after 40 years of working. In fact most private companies dumped their define benefit plans. I do know that in a number of articles on the subject of public unions in the WSJ the aforementioned typle salaries, pensions and benefits were referenced . It would appear that it is a commonly accepted fact that these compensation and benefits packages are not unusual.

If other public unions are doing as well for employees we are indeed heading for bankruptcy. This type of spending is simply unsustainable.

If the officer exaggerated please let me know because I am going to counsel young people to become cops and ignore going to college and securing a job in the private sector because its more lucrative and they will still be young enough when they retire to start over for another fulltime career and still retire a second time at age 60. What a country!

[Guest]

Actor, I suppose I have lead a sheltered life but in all my years, I have never had a police officer help me.

But to the point. A retired police officer from Tampa was looking at TV. I'l assume what he said was not hyperbole but he claimed he made in excess of $100,000 a year and that after 20 years of working his pension would be 95% of his salary and he had free medical.

There are not too many private sector jobs that offer even half that amount as pensions even after 40 years of working. In fact most private companies dumped their define benefit plans. I do know that in a number of articles on the subject of public unions in the WSJ the aforementioned typle salaries, pensions and benefits were referenced . It would appear that it is a commonly accepted fact that these compensation and benefits packages are not unusual.

If other public unions are doing as well for employees we are indeed heading for bankruptcy. This type of spending is simply unsustainable.

If the officer exaggerated please let me know because I am going to counsel young people to become cops and ignore going to college and securing a job in the private sector because its more lucrative and they will still be young enough when they retire to start over for another fulltime career and still retire a second time at age 60. What a country!

what type of pension this hypothetical retired policeman from Tampa is receiving? BTW, I'm certainly not advocating that public employees receive pension benefits out of line with the rest of the country. This whole thread was initiated because the Governor of New jersey who has been busy advocating reducing state expenditures and the need to sacrifice social programs had to have his fat fanny transported 300 feet by a state car, after he flew by state helicopter to see his kid's ballgame. The waters were muddied by another poster who claimed that the teachers unions are a bunch of thugs, which I find funny coming from a retired teamster, considering there has never been a more crooked outfit than the teamsters.

[Guest]

Actor Okey Dokey:wave:

[Guest]

Just trying to keep the playing field level, Richie. If Hancie brings up that he feels Mrs. Obama is First Lady of the World because she is taking an official trip to Africa, I am entitled (I love that word) to bring up what Republican First Ladies have done tripwise.

As far as Gov. Christie, he is going to repay some money for helicopter rides. He is going to pay for that in many ways during the campaign.

BBQMan, look at facts; Christie did misuse helicopter usage, Laura Bush took several overseas trips without the W., liberals are in charge of the White House.

Enjoy life in The Villages. Have an ice-cold Yeungling.

[Guest]

Just trying to keep the playing field level, Richie. If Hancie brings up that he feels Mrs. Obama is First Lady of the World because she is taking an official trip to Africa, I am entitled (I love that word) to bring up what Republican First Ladies have done tripwise.

As far as Gov. Christie, he is going to repay some money for helicopter rides. He is going to pay for that in many ways during the campaign.

BBQMan, look at facts; Christie did misuse helicopter usage, Laura Bush took several overseas trips without the W., liberals are in charge of the White House.

Enjoy life in The Villages. Have an ice-cold Yeungling.

You love the word "entitled":) (quit trying to make me laugh. these are serious issues. well.......maybe not)

[Guest]

Hancie,

Mrs. Obama is not the first First Lady to travel overseas without the President. Did you get your shorts in a wedgie when Laura Bush did it? Who paid for Laura and her entourage (including a daughter)? http://www.arts.mcgill.ca/history/faculty/TROYWEB/LauraBushpreparesforfirstsolotripabroad.htm

Second citing is from your Bible - Fox News.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,182007,00.html

Maybe you should research before you post.

Let me assure you that I only have one Bible and it is not Fox News. Now to your point about research, maybe you should stick with the issue here and not get off message. The original post dealt with the Governor of NJ traveling on a State owned helicopter. All I was introducing to the discussion was that it's not just the Governor of NJ who is traveling on taxpayer expense and he stayed within the State of NJ where he is Governor 24/7


Troppo presto vecchio e troppo tardi intelligente.

[Guest]

Hancie,

You were trying to say that even though Christie used his helicopter for personal reasons that it is okay for him to do so because Mrs. Obama is going to use taxpayer money to do an official trip to Africa. Mixing apples and oranges, dude. One is for personal reasons (attending his son's baseball game) and the other is an official visit.

I did stay on point by showing it is a duty for First Ladies to make official trips even without the President. It is something that goes as far back as Mrs. Kennedy.

Your Italian and German messages mean nothing to me. If you want to say something, say it so it can be understood.

[Guest]

Hancie,

You were trying to say that even though Christie used his helicopter for personal reasons that it is okay for him to do so because Mrs. Obama is going to use taxpayer money to do an official trip to Africa. Mixing apples and oranges, dude. One is for personal reasons (attending his son's baseball game) and the other is an official visit.

I did stay on point by showing it is a duty for First Ladies to make official trips even without the President. It is something that goes as far back as Mrs. Kennedy.

Your Italian and German messages mean nothing to me. If you want to say something, say it so it can be understood.

Amazing that you have the ability to read my mind and what I was trying to say.

The translation of my message could have be done on Google, but I will save you the trouble. It was an expression that my Mom used to explain why some folks act the way they do. Having lived in The Villages for quite some time and reading the posts on TOTV and how a topic that gets started and then changes to other completely unrelated points, makes me think my Mom had it right.


Too soon old and too late smart.


ps. News flash from NJ reports that Christie is reimbursing the State for the helicopter ride. Does that make you happy, or will you join in with the discussion about Governor Christie's weight now and other equally important issues?