One persons view of the transit strike: 1. A large group of people, (taxpayers) provide a subsidy to transit so that people do not have to own or use a car to get around the cities. Most of the users of transit are students, elderly poor, or low wage workers. Many are at the poverty level.
2. A small group of transit workers get a health benefit that is better than almost any of the taxpayers who pay the subsidy that makes their job possible. 3. The public transit agency lets the workers know that they cannot continuously increase the public subsidy of the workers health benefits, and they need the workers to carry a greater share of the cost. 4. Angry at having to share this increased cost, the workers refuse to carry the poor and the transit dependent to their jobs and doctor appointments until they get more money for health benefits. So, we have a group of people insisting on a benefit that almost no-one else gets, asking the people ( taxpayers ) who don't get a similar benefit to pay for it, and punishing the young and the poor until their demands are met. In case you want to categorize me as a right-wing-nut, I give money to the Minnesota DFL, the DNC, Move-on.org, the Science Museum of Mn, ACLU, the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Sierra Club. When I worked as a carpenter years back, I was in the Carpenters Union. So, categorize me as a left-wing-nut who just doesn't get this one at all. Everyone needs health care. No one should get special deals that others are denied. Transit workers, please, go back to your jobs and work politically for a health benefit that will work for everyone, not just your own members. Bob Treumann, Saint Paul > New talks are scheduled for Monday. > http://www.startribune.com/stories/373/4675138.html _______________________________________________ Twin Cities Metropolitan Issues Forum http://www.e-democracy.org/tcmetro Rules: Sign posts with real name. You may not post more than twice a day.
