Plunder: How Public Employee Unions are Raiding Treasuries, Controlling Our Lives and Bankrupting the Nation

by Steven Greenhut

Public employees have become the new American elite. In the past, Government workers earned less money but had slightly better job security and benefits than Americans working in the private sector. These days, government workers not only earn more than other Americans, but they have vastly superior benefits, including pension plans that often allow them to retire as early as age 50 with 100 percent or more of their final year's salary. These pensions often to $100,000 a year and come with cost of living adjustments and free lifetime medical care. Getting a government job and sticking with it is like winning the lottery. This plundering of treasuries, made possible by aggressive union tactics and spineless politicians, results in higher taxes and massive debts that ultimately will be borne by our grandchildren. The current situation is "unsustainable." The problem goes beyond finances. Government unions protect even the worst public employees from accountability. Schools don't attempt to fire incompetent teachers-and union protections make it nearly impossible to even fire ones accused of abuse and other misdeeds. As government gets bigger and more powerful, government officials have more uncontrolled power over the rest of us-to enrich and protect themselves at the expense of the public good. The public's servants have truly become the public's masters.

Genres: Politics

316 pages, Paperback

First published November 23, 2009

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The name says it all. Well researched. No sector of the economy is safe. Hope your town doesn't go the way of Bell, California.

[Ed Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

All you need to know!

[Luigib · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good in parts. Greenhut fronts out a serious problem in the US and developed world. But, anecdotal in many other parts. "Everyone speeding on the road is probably a public employee who won't get ticketed." Come on??

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly outstanding and comprehensive presentation of the destruction of America by public employee unions. A real call to action.