re: 25% of the LA school budget goes to pensions.

Defined benefit plans can be a big burden on state governments. Anyone with a brain can understand that places a huge risk and an environment ripe for corruption on who gets to manage that retirement fund. However, there is also human capital risk on not providing guaranteed benefits. There are a lot of teachers married to a coach.

Ideally you want a hybrid benefits model, some defined contribution and some defined payment. This will attract and retain educators while also reducing financial risk to the state. Plenty of states across the country already have a similar model. My dad was one of those recipients but in the USDA.

Govt comp isn't some kind of easy discussion even though u may want it to be. I spent time measuring grain bins with my dad as a kid walking out acreage to make sure farmers weren't lying about their crops.

You want honest citizens to work government jobs and you have to pay them a decent wage with benefits. Otherwise you perpetuate the inefficiency and ineptitude of government officials.

It's fun to hate on the government but the more you crap on it the more you let corporations dictate policy. The more you let that happen the more we steer towards a corporatocracy... This inevitably leads to a banana republic.

You can still work for the government. Do a good job work your way up the ranks and influence budgetary policies and try to address inefficiencies.

TBH this is one of the most American things we can do. We should embrace our government employees. We should Shed light on those that are making positive impacts...

Doing so will help attract top talent that are the most intelligent and can get the most out of our dollars.

Why this is hard to understand is absurd to me. It is a matter of respect. I guess if our govt employees got New Iberia Haircuts and purchased F350s and setup their double-wides with year round Christmas lights selling oxy's they'd get more respect.