I AM ANGRY and You Should Be, Too Because We’re Next

I received the following message this morning from New York Times:

“New Jersey Legislature Approves Deep Cuts in Benefits to Public Workers

New Jersey lawmakers on Thursday approved a broad rollback in benefits for three-quarters of a million government workers and retirees, the deepest cut in state and local costs in memory, in a major victory for Gov. Chris Christie and a once-unthinkable setback for the powerful public employee unions.”

If Americans in states that are not being attacked right now do not protest these actions and continue to support the workers in other states, then we should be in the pits where the leaders are trying to taking us. But the thing is, I’m not going and I’m going to support to workers in other states to be sure they don’t go there.

Do people really look at what’s happening? You have people with money trying to take things away that people have worked for all of their lives. That’s just evil on so many levels. But on a moral level, the people in charge who have money and will be OK for the rest of their lives are trying to eliminate benefits that people have EARNED with hard work, sweat and tears. Nobody GAVE them these benefits; they worked for them. And they should have them. And, it shouldn’t be that easy for PEOPLE to take things from others. Yes, I’m emotionally charged right now because it’s just not right.

What’s really disturbing is that these actions are based on greed and power not necessity. OK, the state is probably experiencing financial difficulties, but if the people making such bad decisions would cut their salaries and benefits and those of other public officials that tax payers pay for long after their years of service, that would help balance the budget, too. No one has mentioned this. If they have, I haven’t heard of it.

Do people really care? If you don’t care, you better start because I promise you – you’re next.

Here’s an excerpt from The Wall Street Journal:

“Mr. Christie said he’s already gotten calls from two governors, though he wouldn’t name them, for advice on how to replicate the cuts. He gave credit to Democratic leaders—Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver—who bucked the majority of their party to pass the cuts.” So soon?

And, this is just the beginning of cuts. I can’t imagine what will happen from here. I’m almost certain that there are no plans to reinstate benefits after the economy improves, so this is just a loss for ALL workers.

I used to be lethargic about things going on around me, but my eyes are wide awake and I’m going to continue to be on alert. And I encourage you to do the same.

Here’s how I help and you can, too. I get e-mails from Change.org, The Color of Change, Democracy for America and other organizations that support human and civil rights and sign their online petitions. If you ever get such e-mails, I would encourage you to support some of their causes, especially when it comes to things happening here in America. Because if you don’t, I promise you – you’re next.

Image: Stop Benefit Cuts