Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Windy City...

Windy City Part I





I apologize to my readers on the recent hiatus as there has been a lot of living put into the month of June.

Last week I spent two nights in our new home, then was whisked off to Chicago for CAPP training. This training was done to learn more about public pension plan funding, and initiatives to destroy defined benefit programs as we know them. Defined benefit programs became popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a means to guarantee retirement for employees. However, in 1974 Congress passed a series of laws which allowed private employers to move employees from defined benefit programs to defined contribution plans. While employers utilized stock options and 401 K matching funds to enhance employee retirement, employers were off the hook for long-term retirement obligations. In many regards, this began what is currently referred to as a "race to the bottom" where employers have continually cut worker benefits while maintaining a competitive edge. While private sector employers have the flexibility to compensate employees creatively, the public sector is limited.

There is a distinct economic benefit to having well funded retirement options. Not only does it keep retirees off the public dole, but it also allows them to pump dollars back into the local economies. Cash-strapped states and local governments are now searching for ways to limit, amend, and in some cases terminate defined benefit programs. And that is part of the reason OEA paid for me to go to Chicago last week...  More to follow.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Tu Hablas Ingles?

There is a border between the United States and Mexico...  This at best has been a porous border which has allowed millions of illegal immigrants to pour into the United States.  Let's not pretend this is a problem that only existed after a 15 year old Mexican boy was shot when he entered the United States... But now it is news that blood has been shed on the border.  Actually, this was the second shooting this year, and more than likely it will not be the last. The Federal Government (and law-makers) who are sworn to protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution of the United States have found it difficult to protect U.S. citizens from the plague of illegal immigrants. I distinctly remember sitting in a classroom over 30 years ago discussing illegal immigration as a part of our Weekly Reader magazine...

Now 30 years removed things appear to be coming to a head. Sure, we can all appreciate anyone who wants to come to the United States to better themselves. Immigrants have come to America seeking opportunity for nearly four centuries.  At some point in time, the U.S. government found it necessary to protect citizens by creating an immigration policy in which an individual can be naturalized and become a legal resident.

But let's face it... it has been quite convenient for illegal immigrants to come to America. Think of all the cheap labor that was utilized via the back-bone of illegal immigrants. And in it's most basic sense, maybe this charade was allowed to go on as long as it has because farmers and builders have needed a cheap work force that will do the work that no one else wants to do. However, laws are laws and just as easily, visas could have been passed out to these individuals as guest workers and the labor shortage could have been solved.

My guess is that large-scale farmers and to a lesser extent business owners saw the benefit of a no-border policy with Mexico. Heck, states are now counting their illegal immigrant population in the U.S. Census in hopes of gaining more control the the House of Representatives. Heck, even our Founding Fathers who owned slaves had even more brains than that. However, there is a high degree of self-interest at stake. And, when good people ignore evil, the bad guys will prevail. Write your representative about immigration reform today!

Tu Hablas Ingles?

There is a border between the United States and Mexico...  This at best has been a porous border which has allowed millions of illegal immigrants to pour into the United States.  Let's not pretend this is a problem that only existed after a 15 year old Mexican boy was shot when he entered the United States... But now it is news that blood has been shed on the border.  Actually, this was the second shooting this year, and more than likely it will not be the last. The Federal Government (and law-makers) who are sworn to protect, preserve, and defend the Constitution of the United States have found it difficult to protect U.S. citizens from the plague of illegal immigrants. I distinctly remember sitting in a classroom over 30 years ago discussing illegal immigration as a part of our Weekly Reader magazine...

Now 30 years removed things appear to be coming to a head. Sure, we can all appreciate anyone who wants to come to the United States to better themselves. Immigrants have come to America seeking opportunity for nearly four centuries.  At some point in time, the U.S. government found it necessary to protect citizens by creating an immigration policy in which an individual can be naturalized and become a legal resident.

But let's face it... it has been quite convenient for illegal immigrants to come to America. Think of all the cheap labor that was utilized via the back-bone of illegal immigrants. And in it's most basic sense, maybe this charade was allowed to go on as long as it has because farmers and builders have needed a cheap work force that will do the work that no one else wants to do. However, laws are laws and just as easily, visas could have been passed out to these individuals as guest workers and the labor shortage could have been solved.

My guess is that large-scale farmers and to a lesser extent business owners saw the benefit of a no-border policy with Mexico. Heck, states are now counting their illegal immigrant population in the U.S. Census in hopes of gaining more control the the House of Representatives. Heck, even our Founding Fathers who owned slaves had even more brains than that. However, there is a high degree of self-interest at stake. And, when good people ignore evil, the bad guys will prevail. Write your representative about immigration reform today!