Is A Balanced Budget Really On My Back

OK this is for the record:

1. I am a state employee
2. I fiscally conservative/socially moderate
3. I have read and understand the whole Constitution including the Bill of Rights 
4. I dislike unions, or more accurately what unions have transformed into
5. I have read, understood and liked the writings of Ayn Rand (for the most part)
6. I am sick to death of emotional brinksmanship in the current political climate

Whew!  OK having gotten that off my chest, anyone reading this post should now have a basic idea of where I stand (at which point I will change my position and opinion just to mess you up :))

A friend of mine sent me the following.  I have chosen not to include his assessment of this email which was sent to union members (I am not a union member, long story for later) via the state email system. Suffice it to say, he was not impressed.

Dear MSEA-SEIU member,
Members of the Maine Legislature’s Appropriations Committee are expected to vote this week on Gov. LePage’s budget. Join us for an interfaith vigil Thursday, June 6, at the State House as we call on our legislators to show leadership by treating the next state budget as moral document that strengthens the common good of Maine.

Meet at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 6, at the State House Welcome Center. The vigil starts at 5 p.m. on the second floor of the State House. Register here - http://bit.ly/June7Vigil
The Governor’s budget freezes merit pay, eliminates longevity pay and underfunds the State Employee Health Plan for another two years. It undermines the lives, dignity and rights of low-wage earners, the elderly and people with disabilities by cutting funding for programs like Drugs for the Elderly, General Assistance, Supplemental Security Income for legal immigrants and Head Start. It unfairly places new burdens on working and middle class Mainers to the benefit of the wealthy few. Register here - http://bit.ly/June7Vigil
We ask our elected officials to do all in their power to ensure that Maine supports its hardworking middle class while also safeguarding Maine’s most vulnerable citizens. We ask our leaders to adopt a fair budget that raises revenue the revenue necessary to ensure Maine’s public structures and stops balancing the budget on the backs of the Maine’s workers, retired workers and middle class and Maine’s most vulnerable citizens. Register here - http://bit.ly/June7Vigil
The vigil is sponsored by organizations that are part of the Fair Share Now Coalition and Maine Can Do Better. For more information: http://www.fairsharemaine.org/solution
In Solidarity,

Ginette Rivard
President, MSEA-SEIU Local 1989

And here was my observation/reply:

OK, here is what I need to know:

• Please explain how a legislative document is a “moral” document?  Is it the Bible, Koran, Talmud?  I need to understand the magical content here.
• Exactly who are the “wealth few” that I should be justifiably mad at?  Can I have a list of names please?
• Merit pay was already frozen, longevity pay already gone; even though that kind of sucks, should I be getting “re-mad”?
• Exactly how does having a job undermine lives, dignity and rights?  Employment is violating what rights?  Getting paid is undignified?
• Can I have a list of the “new burdens” being placed on me, I don’t see them yet?
• I need a little clarity on how taking more money (“raises revenues” = taxes) from the hard working middle class helps the hardworking middle class.
• I also need to understand how paying benefits for other citizen (benefits I either can’t afford or have to pay myself) helps me.
• I assume that when there is a reference made to “elected official” this implies that ALL officials are to act responsibly to the benefit of ALL citizen not just select officials and selected citizens.

Once I have a better understanding of the above then perhaps I can participate in said vigil………NOT!!!!!!!

If my observations/position/opinion offend somebody on the....TOUGH!  It's my blog and I'll cry if I want too!!

Bottom line - I just want to do my job to the best of my ability, be reasonably compensated for it and otherwise be left alone.  I am not and despise being used as an emotional tool for either position in this redonkulous junior high lunch room exercise.

Just say'n .... :)