Facts Can Be So Inconvenient

In the 2 May 2009 edition of the Eau Claire Leader Telegram's editorial page, an Eau Claire resident lamented government intervention in setting wages for executives of companies receiving TARP money.

"But now, Congress seems to have outdone itself in trying to right the previous wrong, and has passed the Pay for Performance Act of 2009. The bill aims to limit compensation at financial institutions receiving TARP funding. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi described it this way: "The taxpayers now have an ownership stake in these companies. And owners of companies set salaries for their employees. Any company bent on paying its employees unreasonable and excessive compensation can do so after the American taxpayers get their money back."

But if the government can limit salaries of employees of companies receiving TARP funds, might they ever try to limit or retroactively confiscate "excessive" salaries of others whose income is even partially derived from tax dollars?"

Here's the problem with her argument: the government in Wisconsin HAS been setting wages for teachers since the QEO was established in the early 1990's. This is not something new, in fact, wage restriction is something that people like this have been arguing for re: teachers in area districts in recent months.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the law, the QEO allows district's to offer no more than 3.8% increases (pay and benefits together) if they so choose. Teachers are therefore the only employee group in the state that has their negotiating power clipped by government. I wonder if she would argue that teachers should have their true collective bargaining ability reinstated??? In today's political climate...I doubt it!

When economic times are good, let's restrict teacher wages.....when they're bad.....restrict teacher wages.