At the end of my typical talk on California and our public employee problems, I usually ask my audience, “What’s the ONE important lesson you should take away with you from my presentation?”
I get the usual responses — “No new taxes!” — “Throw the bums out!” — “Vote GOP!” — “Elect Rider as dictator for life!” (that last one doesn’t come up often enough).
But then I must gently chastise my newly brainwashed disciples, presenting the REAL lesson I’m imparting: “Get a government job!”
After reading this Chris Reed article (posted previously on FlashReport), I might have to narrow that advice — get an UNSKILLED government job — ideally with a government agency that flies below the media radar (such as a water district).
Incredible pay scale, no training needed (saving YEARS of college time and cost — and thus allowing one to retire years earlier with a fat pension), no after-work stress, no employer work expectations or standards, GREAT benefits, and more holidays. Plus rock-solid job security.
Furthermore, if the government job involves any menial labor at all, then the chances are good that one can file a disability claim upon retirement — which, if successful (and WAY too often it is) — exempts up to half of one’s juicy pension from federal and state income tax. Because of our progressive tax system, that doesn’t save just HALF the taxes — eliminating the TOP half of one’s pension for tax purposes saves 70%-90% on income taxes.
For those of you interested in more skilled government jobs (not sufficiently challenged by “wax on, wax off”), consider this excerpt from the piece:
“Welders’ and machinists’ pay grew 18% on average to $132,548 and $142,562, respectively. Those figures represent full-time employees who worked entire years in 2008 and 2012.” PLUS benefits.
Read the full Chris Reed article below. But first I recommend that you ingest your preferred recreational drug of choice. (Mine’s diet Pepsi, but I’m not judgmental in such matters.)
$70K pay for janitors + rate hike should = revolt
By Chris Reed
Last year, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power imposed an 11 percent rate hike — which it called a “rate change” — on its power customers, while water customers saw rates go up 5 percent.
Millions of Angelenos will no doubt be thrilled to know what this is paying for: $70,000 a year janitors. No wonder DWP unions want to keep pay data secret.
This is from the L.A. Times:
Average DWP pay: $101,237. It’s good to be DWPer
“Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge James Chalfant stared in disbelief Tuesday at a list of hundreds of Department of Water and Power employees who have asked that their names and salaries be withheld from the public, citing safety concerns.
“On the list were mechanics, typists and meter readers.
“‘This is frivolous on its face; I mean, these are DWP employees,’ Chalfant said, noting that the names of government employees are public and even undercover police officers have a hard time demonstrating they would be in danger if their names appeared on a list of department employees. …
. . .
To read the rest of the outrageous article, go to the link:
http://www.calwatchdog.com/2013/06/06/70k-for-janitors-rate-hike-should-revolt/comment-page-1/#comment-79080