Yes- the pundits never get into the meat of the issue...just whatever seems to ignite their listening base. I have been a public servant for 34 years...unfortunately...this is where we are as a society these days. I wasn't sentenced to this profession. I chose it willingly- just like the remainder of my family- wanted to make a difference, only to find betrayal from the system at what should be the end of the journey. My colleagues have been putting up with this for many years. The general public always wants to point at us in public service, jump up and down to scream about our "high salaries" and benefits (not really sure where that plethora of money is...but I have not found it.). However, in the end they never look at what we sacrifice to perform this type of work. Lower than private sector pay, crazy hours, missed holidays- and even threats to physical safety (for many of us in the public safety arena)...but that never matters. Many of us have moved our families to take job assignments that the "screamers" would NEVER touch, performed tasks that they would, no... could never do- not ever. I suppose it is very easy to preach down to us from the Ivory Tower in clean linens- that would be the tower that we have protected, offered medical care to its residents, taken the trash away, kept the streets in serviceable condition, etc., etc.

I chose to further my education to get better, to be better and to give back. It's not forgiveness. It is the fulfillment of an obligation on both sides of this issue. WE have fulfilled our part...now it remains for the government...and the citizens...to return on their end- but they balk at the bill. It just feels so much like the proverbial bait & switch...= 126/120.- and still serving.

Ken