Unpaid Friday furloughs for public sector,California style

[patslatt]

In response to California's shortage of tax revenues,the "Terminator" Governor is putting government workers on unpaid Friday furloughs costing 10% of pay Furlough announcement rattles many California state workers - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

A great many trends start in California so it wouldn't be surprising if our revenue short government emulates this move,which,if feasible,would be preferable to redundancies.

The blow to people's confidence could be alleviated somewhat if the government gave back those 1am pub closing hours on Thursdays!

[hopi watcher]

In response to California's shortage of tax revenues,the "Terminator" Governor is putting government workers on unpaid Friday furloughs costing 10% of pay Furlough announcement rattles many California state workers - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

A great many trends start in California so it wouldn't be surprising if our revenue short government emulates this move,which,if feasible,would be preferable to redundancies.

The blow to people's confidence could be alleviated somewhat if the government gave back those 1am pub closing hours on Thursdays!

Still utterly preoccupied with public servants I see. What a life!!!

[Pauli]

In response to California's shortage of tax revenues,the "Terminator" Governor is putting government workers on unpaid Friday furloughs costing 10% of pay Furlough announcement rattles many California state workers - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

A great many trends start in California so it wouldn't be surprising if our revenue short government emulates this move,which,if feasible,would be preferable to redundancies.

The blow to people's confidence could be alleviated somewhat if the government gave back those 1am pub closing hours on Thursdays!

Yes, Pat, a great many bullshyte ideas originate in California, particularly in the Greater Los Angeles area. As a former resident of the state, I know this first-hand.

Pat, I am always amazed at your indefatigable ability to post stuff on this site lauding or praising something starting or happening in the UK or the US which you find interesting. I am not complaining about your ability to find these things interesting.

My concern is twofold

Firstly, there is a whole continent to the east where countries manage public administration vastly better than the UK or the US. These countries have infinitely better education systems, public transport networks and , in the case of the US, staggeringly better health systems.

Secondly, most of these countries use the same currency that we use and interest rate policy, which has a huge influence on economic development, is decided in the biggest of these countries.

My question is this: why do you persist in giving us examples of what I can only assume is your impression of "Best practice" from two of the worst managed countries in the developed world?

Can I put this down to the usual sad, disinterested myopia towards European countries which generally afflicts Irish people or is there another reason with this obsession with failed economies?

[Duth Ealla]

Pat,

At what point does the Public Sector stop being the target for cuts. I support the recent levy as being required to bring the general wages back to the real world but how much further do you require them to go.
Should the entire public sector work for free. If the PS should work for free then why not have every worker in the state work for free for one day or one afternoon. Good for productivity but hardly going to get us back to growth is it.

Hat tip Hopi and Pauli whose posts i agree with

[patslatt]

Yes, Pat, a great many bullshyte ideas originate in California, particularly in the Greater Los Angeles area. As a former resident of the state, I know this first-hand.

Pat, I am always amazed at your indefatigable ability to post stuff on this site lauding or praising something starting or happening in the UK or the US which you find interesting. I am not complaining about your ability to find these things interesting.

My concern is twofold

Firstly, there is a whole continent to the east where countries manage public administration vastly better than the UK or the US. These countries have infinitely better education systems, public transport networks and , in the case of the US, staggeringly better health systems.

Secondly, most of these countries use the same currency that we use and interest rate policy, which has a huge influence on economic development, is decided in the biggest of these countries.

My question is this: why do you persist in giving us examples of what I can only assume is your impression of "Best practice" from two of the worst managed countries in the developed world?

Can I put this down to the usual sad, disinterested myopia towards European countries which generally afflicts Irish people or is there another reason with this obsession with failed economies?

University education systems on the Continent are third rate factory systems compared to the US Ivy League system as any academic can tell you. US medical research invents most cures for disease and the quality of care is excellent for those with insurance to pay for it. The US armed forces are way ahead of all countries in technical standards.

Most important,the US offers a far greater degree of personal freedom than any Continental European welfare state.

This is not to deny the disadvantages of the large American underclass who are poorly served by the state.

[patslatt]

Pat,

At what point does the Public Sector stop being the target for cuts. I support the recent levy as being required to bring the general wages back to the real world but how much further do you require them to go.
Should the entire public sector work for free. If the PS should work for free then why not have every worker in the state work for free for one day or one afternoon. Good for productivity but hardly going to get us back to growth is it.

Hat tip Hopi and Pauli whose posts i agree with

Supply and demand for labour should determine pay. I've read that there are about seven teachers applying for every teaching job. If so,that suggests wages are too high. A post on P.ie says there is an army of applicants for clerical jobs in the Dublin City Council,which suggests pay is too high.

Regarding teachers' pay,I don't mind if they are somewhat overpaid as I think teaching is a very important profession,especially primary teaching,and more important than prestigious professions such as law, accountancy or banking.

[Duth Ealla]

University education systems on the Continent are third rate factory systems compared to the US Ivy League system as any academic can tell you. US medical research invents most cures for disease and the quality of care is excellent for those with insurance to pay for it. The US armed forces are way ahead of all countries in technical standards.

Most important,the US offers a far greater degree of personal freedom than any Continental European welfare state.

This is not to deny the disadvantages of the large American underclass who are poorly served by the state.

Pat, reading Paul Krugman last night and he said that there is a report that 20% of those attending harvard today would not have been admitted 20 years ago.

Health care - great for those who can afford it as you say.
US military also drains a lot of money out of the country no?

Strange linking between personal freedom and the welfare state. Do you believe the receipt of financial support from the state limits a person's choices in life. Considering the drop in income many have experienced in the US over the last few decades then I would be surprised that you would argue that.

[Pauli]

University education systems on the Continent are third rate factory systems compared to the US Ivy League system as any academic can tell you. US medical research invents most cures for disease and the quality of care is excellent for those with insurance to pay for it. The US armed forces are way ahead of all countries in technical standards.

Most important,the US offers a far greater degree of personal freedom than any Continental European welfare state.

This is not to deny the disadvantages of the large American underclass who are poorly served by the state.

I agree with you that the Ivy League universities are very good. They stand out as beacons of educational brilliance in a veritable sea of dross masquerading as third-level centres of learning dominated by sports scholarships. The great American author Tom Wolfe wrote "I am Charlotte Simmons" based on this very phenomenon. Highly recommended.

Personal freedom? How do you measure that, Pat? In a post 9/11 world in particular.

I see your antipathy to Europe is given away by the tell-tale neo-liberalist slur "welfare state".

At least your last sentence shows a degree of realism. I would, however, amend it to greater reflect the reality of the situation "That is not to deny the disadvantages of the large and burgeoning American who are NOT served by the state".

[Wakeupcall]

Yes, Pat, a great many bullshyte ideas originate in California, particularly in the Greater Los Angeles area. As a former resident of the state, I know this first-hand.

Pat, I am always amazed at your indefatigable ability to post stuff on this site lauding or praising something starting or happening in the UK or the US which you find interesting. I am not complaining about your ability to find these things interesting.

My concern is twofold

Firstly, there is a whole continent to the east where countries manage public administration vastly better than the UK or the US. These countries have infinitely better education systems, public transport networks and , in the case of the US, staggeringly better health systems.

Secondly, most of these countries use the same currency that we use and interest rate policy, which has a huge influence on economic development, is decided in the biggest of these countries.

My question is this: why do you persist in giving us examples of what I can only assume is your impression of "Best practice" from two of the worst managed countries in the developed world?

Can I put this down to the usual sad, disinterested myopia towards European countries which generally afflicts Irish people or is there another reason with this obsession with failed economies?

Probably cause the news articles are in english

[Pauli]

Probably cause the news articles are in english

Ah, I see, the product of a mind untroubled by any hint of curiousity or inquiry. Spoonfed the UK/US line and swallowed in its entirety. Dear, oh dear!