To those who think public sector employees are lazy do-nothings...

[TheMightyFavog]

My father was a state fire ranger. He and his crew put their lives on the line numerous times to protect both private and public property from the ravages of fire. He helped save millions of acres of wildlands, countless animals, more than a few houses and vacation cabins, and yes, even a few lives. On fire calls he toted large metal back cans (lighter back bladders didn't come about until his last few years on the job) that weighed well over 70 pounds when full over broken terrain. There weer also time when he would be receive fire calls at 1 in the morning and not be home until well after supper.

In addition to fighting fires, he helped educate children on the importance of fire prevention both in the wild and at home, and was often called on to investigate cases of suspected arson in our wild lands.

During Gun Deer season, he gave up time he'd have rather spent deer hunting to help supplement the badly stretched Conservation Wardens as they put their lives on the line to enforce federal and state hunting laws and regulations. Winters were often spent maintaining and repairing vital equipment, as well as spending time training for the next season.

He also spent many evenings away from home helping to train the local volunteer fire departments on the latest and best ways to fight wildland fires.

So there's a little education for you. Hopefully you'll think twice before you go ripping on public sector employees.

[qb]

1. Related note:Allegations that state employees are paid more than private sector employees are false.

Minnesota conservatives like to demonize public employees.
http://www.mgec.org/
Recent campaign rhetoric and stories in the media make claims that state employees are paid more than those doing similar work in the private sector. A candidate has claimed that the state’s deficit budget could be mostly eliminated if state employees were paid less. Such false claims fail to provide details that can be validated, and fuel the public misperception that the deficit is caused by public employment. Real leadership engages in discussion and works to resolve problems (like the state budget deficit) based on factual information. Even if there were no state employees serving the executive branch, a very small percentage of the state’s budget (2-4 percent) would be affected. Obviously, the state’s deficit stems for other funding problems. If fact, state employees are usually paid less than the cost of contracting out their services. Hiring more state employees and contracting out less work would save the state money. The private sector relies on the state to provide an infrastructure so that it can succeed.

[old mark]

2. I was a state civil service employee working in a mental hospital in several different areas.

We had many people start, not many stay. A lot of state jobs are very stressful and require weekend and night work under very difficule and disagreeable conditions. In our state, employees are frequent targets of politicians...they love to label us lazy do-nothings, as you say...but employees are forbidden by law from engaging in any political activity except voting...even a bumper sticker that might me interpreted as political may get you fired, costing your pension and benefits.

I am very familiar with what you are talking about, and I recommend this post.

mark

Former AFSCME Steward.