This is My Illinois

Join Teachers.Net

Chatboards

Recent Groups

IL Teachers

MEMBERS

9 Members

+ Join Group

Pinned Posts

ALLAll Teachers

Teachers.Net LIVE CHAT Support group - Tues eve!

Featured Jobs

Full-timeMontessori Teacher

Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada

TemporaryTeachers, rural schools

Peace River North School District

Full-timeHead Teacher: 2nd/3rd Grades – Mills College Children’s School

Mills College

Teaching Jobs on Teachers.Net

Featured Job special only $39!

https://teachers.net/jobs

Become a Teachers.Net sponsor!

Illinois Teachers Chatboard

This is My Illinois

by Elaine

Nov 20, 2012

What do you think of this new ad campaign by your governor [link removed]

thanks in advance

Comment

(21)

report post

view previous comments

Elaine Below is a great letter to the editor on Ill pension mess. Cut off the author's name...Ron Kruger wrote it. [link removed]

The politicians ran on “no new taxes” for years and years while spending went ever onward and upward. Roads and bridges kept being repaired and maintained and pet projects of various political entities funded. ...See More

Dec 1, 2012

report post

therealsped On 11/30/12, Merrillv2 wrote:

> It seems to be sped's contention that people can't complain > government corruption and fraud, since these people voted the > government in. I guess he thinks elected officials can do whatever > they want once elected, and tough shi* to everyone else.

You're entitled to complain. Howev...See MoreOn 11/30/12, Merrillv2 wrote:

> It seems to be sped's contention that people can't complain > government corruption and fraud, since these people voted the > government in. I guess he thinks elected officials can do whatever > they want once elected, and tough shi* to everyone else.

You're entitled to complain. However, you seem to believe that you're a victim of something. That somehow your money is being stolen. In fact, its the other way around. Teachers and other public sector unions made agreements that required the state pay into the system a certain amount of money. It never paid its required amount..., for decades. We're the victims. > > The cost of "pension pickups" is vast, and is one of the reasons why > the pension system is broken. > > Maybe if you had been paying FOR YOUR OWN FU**ING PENSIONS!!! for > the past 40 years, the state wouldn't be in such a mess.

Sigh... the "cost" of pickups is negotiated and paid for by individual districts. It is a form of pay. It has nothing to do with the state. The districts pay for this. Again troll, you just like repeating the same old lies and hope it becomes reality. You are clearly just jealous at the compensation of teachers but lack the ability or will to become a teacher yourself, so you seek to harm them. > > Just as the state is obligated by law to pay its portion of the > pension, teachers were obligated by law to do the same: you didn't.

Many teachers have the percentage taken out of their general pay. Others have negotiated that it be paid separately. It is still PAY and teachers are paying it. The district is just a middle man, sending a portion of their compensation to TRS. I'm sorry you are incapable of understanding this concept. Is there another language you would like it translated to?

> You made some backroom deal without the public's knowledge or input > that absolved you from contributing, and now there is a financial > crisis.

Again, the logic doesn't follow troll. By the way, all teacher contracts are public documents. Before they are accepted by school boards, which are made up of elected officials, they are available for public review. The meetings and vote on said contract are also public meetings with the availability of public comment. Have you ever attended a school board meeting where they approved a CBA? Have you ever read a CBA? Likely not. That takes work. You would have to read and attend a meeting. So, you imagine there was a "backroom deal" when in fact, you just didn't bother to show up at the room. > > Well good luck with that.

Its good to have your support!

Dec 1, 2012

report post

Merrillv2 On 12/01/12, therealsped wrote: > On 11/30/12, Merrillv2 wrote: > >> It seems to be sped's contention that people can't complain >> government corruption and fraud, since these people voted the >> government in. I guess he thinks elected officials can do whatever >> they want once elected, and tough shi* to everyone el...See MoreOn 12/01/12, therealsped wrote: > On 11/30/12, Merrillv2 wrote: > >> It seems to be sped's contention that people can't complain >> government corruption and fraud, since these people voted the >> government in. I guess he thinks elected officials can do whatever >> they want once elected, and tough shi* to everyone else. > > You're entitled to complain. However, you seem to believe that you're > a victim of something. That somehow your money is being stolen. In > fact, its the other way around. Teachers and other public sector > unions made agreements that required the state pay into the system a > certain amount of money. It never paid its required amount..., for > decades. We're the victims. >> >> The cost of "pension pickups" is vast, and is one of the reasons why >> the pension system is broken. >> >> Maybe if you had been paying FOR YOUR OWN FU**ING PENSIONS!!! for >> the past 40 years, the state wouldn't be in such a mess. > > Sigh... the "cost" of pickups is negotiated and paid for by individual > districts. It is a form of pay. It has nothing to do with the state. > The districts pay for this. Again troll, you just like repeating the > same old lies and hope it becomes reality. You are clearly just > jealous at the compensation of teachers but lack the ability or will to > become a teacher yourself, so you seek to harm them. >> >> Just as the state is obligated by law to pay its portion of the >> pension, teachers were obligated by law to do the same: you didn't. > > Many teachers have the percentage taken out of their general pay. > Others have negotiated that it be paid separately. It is still PAY and > teachers are paying it. The district is just a middle man, sending a > portion of their compensation to TRS. I'm sorry you are incapable of > understanding this concept. Is there another language you would like > it translated to?

According to some, the pension will be insolvent in under 16 years

[link removed]

The state owes 43 billion to the TRS.

This would be tragic save for the fact that teachers are simply not entitled to a pension they did not contribute to.

Unless I am shown evidence to the contrary, it is Illinois law that the teachers have to contribute toward their pension, and the employer matches. The law does not say teachers get free retirement.

> >> You made some backroom deal without the public's knowledge or input >> that absolved you from contributing, and now there is a financial >> crisis. > > Again, the logic doesn't follow troll. By the way, all teacher > contracts are public documents. Before they are accepted by school > boards, which are made up of elected officials, they are available for > public review. The meetings and vote on said contract are also public > meetings with the availability of public comment. Have you ever > attended a school board meeting where they approved a CBA? Have you > ever read a CBA? Likely not. That takes work. You would have to read > and attend a meeting. So, you imagine there was a "backroom deal" when > in fact, you just didn't bother to show up at the room. >> >> Well good luck with that. > > Its good to have your support!

I don't care what deal you made. Guess what happens when the public and school board protests against the contract and demands reforms? The teachers strike and the kids get screwed. It is the "give us what we want or your kid stays home" approach: like anyone has any respect for that?

I have read some portions of the CBAs. I became nauseous after the first 20 pages: they are declarations of public shakedown written by scumbags and parasites. The teachers unions are destroying eduction in this country and shaking down the taxpayer in the process.

Don't quit your day job as slum landlord yet sped (and God only knows how much taxpayer money is being funneled to you in that pursuit). Your pension is in trouble, and the public has had enough.

Now I need to go back to work as a PRODUCTIVE member of the private sector.

Dec 3, 2012

report post

therealsped On 12/03/12, Merrillv2 wrote: > The state owes 43 billion to the TRS. > > This would be tragic save for the fact that teachers are simply not > entitled to a pension they did not contribute to. > > Unless I am shown evidence to the contrary, it is Illinois law that the > teachers have to contribute toward their pension, and the...See MoreOn 12/03/12, Merrillv2 wrote: > The state owes 43 billion to the TRS. > > This would be tragic save for the fact that teachers are simply not > entitled to a pension they did not contribute to. > > Unless I am shown evidence to the contrary, it is Illinois law that the > teachers have to contribute toward their pension, and the employer > matches. The law does not say teachers get free retirement.

Ah, but unless you're a judge hearing a court case, your opinion on the law doesn't matter, so you don't have to be shown evidence. Also, you have an agenda driven by hatred and jealousy of teachers, so there really is no need to show you evidence.>

> > Don't quit your day job as slum landlord yet sped (and God only knows how > much taxpayer money is being funneled to you in that pursuit). Your > pension is in trouble, and the public has had enough.

See, you just make stuff up. Slum landlord? Taxpayer money? What are you talking about? Just simply fantasy. I said I own rental properties. I didn't say anything about slums, low-income, tax-payer supported, or anything like that.

But, you don't like me, so... let's just make something up. Let's see, yeah how 'bout I'm not a US citizen and I wasn't born where I said I was, so I can't have my job. Oh wait, that doesn't quite work. Well, OK, slum lord then... as long as I'm icky. I'm not a success story who is well-respected leader in my field and a successful businessman. Nope, I must be bad because I don't sound like the people on Fox news who tell you how to think.

> Now I need to go back to work as a PRODUCTIVE member of the private sector.

Hmmm, the private sector. Maybe you work for the banks..., they haven't taken government money. Oh wait, they would have collapsed without government funding. Maybe you work for an auto company. Oh darn, they all took government money. Maybe you work for the airlines. Oh wait, every one of them would be gone without government support after 9/11. Well, maybe you work in construction. Oh wait, without the recent stimulus and regular government support of the housing, commercial, and road sectors, you wouldn't be working. Maybe you're a doctor. Oh wait, you couldn't keep your doors open without Medicare and Medicaid payments. Maybe you're a farmer. Oh wait, without subsidy, you wouldn't make enough to stay in business. Huh, are you sure you're not soaking the tax payers? Who is the parasite again?

You're the one who came to a teacher website spouting anti-teacher rhetoric troll. Bye-bye.

Dec 4, 2012

report post

Merrillv2 On 12/04/12, therealsped wrote: > On 12/03/12, Merrillv2 wrote: >> The state owes 43 billion to the TRS. >> >> This would be tragic save for the fact that teachers are simply not >> entitled to a pension they did not contribute to. >> >> Unless I am shown evidence to the contrary, it is Illinois law that the &...See MoreOn 12/04/12, therealsped wrote: > On 12/03/12, Merrillv2 wrote: >> The state owes 43 billion to the TRS. >> >> This would be tragic save for the fact that teachers are simply not >> entitled to a pension they did not contribute to. >> >> Unless I am shown evidence to the contrary, it is Illinois law that the >> teachers have to contribute toward their pension, and the employer >> matches. The law does not say teachers get free retirement. > > Ah, but unless you're a judge hearing a court case, your opinion on the law > doesn't matter, so you don't have to be shown evidence. Also, you have an > agenda driven by hatred and jealousy of teachers, so there really is no need > to show you evidence.>

No need to show me evidence because you have none. The law says you have to contribute to your pension: the backroom deal between the unions and the districts is either outright illegal or open to serious challenge. I'll let the state figure that one out.

>> >> Don't quit your day job as slum landlord yet sped (and God only knows how >> much taxpayer money is being funneled to you in that pursuit). Your >> pension is in trouble, and the public has had enough. > > See, you just make stuff up. Slum landlord? Taxpayer money? What are you > talking about? Just simply fantasy. I said I own rental properties. I > didn't say anything about slums, low-income, tax-payer supported, or anything > like that. > > But, you don't like me, so... let's just make something up. Let's see, yeah > how 'bout I'm not a US citizen and I wasn't born where I said I was, so I > can't have my job. Oh wait, that doesn't quite work. Well, OK, slum lord > then... as long as I'm icky. I'm not a success story who is well-respected > leader in my field and a successful businessman. Nope, I must be bad because > I don't sound like the people on Fox news who tell you how to think. > >> Now I need to go back to work as a PRODUCTIVE member of the private sector. > > Hmmm, the private sector. Maybe you work for the banks..., they haven't > taken government money. Oh wait, they would have collapsed without > government funding. Maybe you work for an auto company. Oh darn, they all > took government money. Maybe you work for the airlines. Oh wait, every one > of them would be gone without government support after 9/11. Well, maybe you > work in construction. Oh wait, without the recent stimulus and regular > government support of the housing, commercial, and road sectors, you wouldn't > be working. Maybe you're a doctor. Oh wait, you couldn't keep your doors > open without Medicare and Medicaid payments. Maybe you're a farmer. Oh > wait, without subsidy, you wouldn't make enough to stay in business. Huh, > are you sure you're not soaking the tax payers? Who is the parasite again? > > You're the one who came to a teacher website spouting anti-teacher rhetoric > troll. Bye-bye.

When did I say I supported government bailouts of the private sector? I don't. Obviously there are special circumstances such as 911, but as a general rule, I do not support privatizing gains and socializing losses.

I am not anti-teacher, I am anti-corruption. The pension fiasco is another example of parasites feeding on the taxpayer's nipple. If you paid into your pension as you were obligated by law to do, you have a claim to that pension. If you didn't contribute shi* and expect people at WalMart to pay for your retirement, you can go scratch.

Dec 5, 2012

report post