[BBMW]

There are a lot of problems in determining public sector salaries that don't exist for private sector. In the private sector, the calculation is basically how can they maximize profit on the employees work, while still attracting the employee. It's supply and demand on both sides of the equation.

Since public sector employees don't have to turn a profit, it's harder to determine they're worth. Also politics and public relations come into play. Public sector employees tend to be a fairly large voting block, and they can use this to their advantage. If they're unionized, even they have even more influence, because the unions will use their organizational and financial muscle to back politicians that raise their members compensation. At the same time, how closely are the rest of the voters watching? Politics is about buying votes with other peoples (taxpayers) money. This is one way it's done.

Originally Posted by observer53

Why should public sector employees be limited to wages allowing them to afford a "modest middle class lifestyle"????? Just as in the private sector, one gets compensated more for greater responsibilities.

[m73m95]

Originally Posted by MadManofBethesda

Really? And exactly how much in taxes are you paying to fund these schools, fire departments and police salaries?

The taxes paid by the casinos and the tourists who visit them are the main reasion that you pay exactly zero in state, county, and city income taxes. Our property taxes are relatively low as well.

So exactly what is this tax burden of which you speak?

Where did you read in my post that we are burdened? Where did you read in my post that we are taxed at an unusually high rate?

My point is that, everyone likes to complain that government employees make too much money (I'm sure you wouldn't do half the jobs the gov't does, for the wage the avg gov't employee makes), and programs are underfunded.... but no one is willing to question billionaires GIVING money away to other countries. Steve Wynn will GIVE money to China, but fight tooth to nail over being taxed to support schools in his own state?

Am I the only one who see's the disconnect here? Steve Wynn doesn't care about you, the state, or the country. He cares about making money, and right now, he makes more money in China than he makes here.

He (and others) have drawn a line in the sand, and you're not standing on the same side of the line that he is.


(EDIT--- Stop crying about what public employees make, and start getting pissed that Nevada casinos have the lowest tax rate of all casino's in the country http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/...uit/53494476/1)

Originally Posted by dynimagelv

You are TOTALLY confused....I THINK you need to take a short course in the way things work here.

[nevadaned]

Thanks Aggro. Good example, now if some people had critical thinking skills they would understand our point.

Now guys, defending the underpaid public workers. We're still waiting on your examples of fair pay for the work done. Having a hard time coming up with any?

What about the crossing guard agent who made over $160,000? This poor guy, how can he afford to live on that salary? And the toll of stress must be incredible!

[Robustus]

Originally Posted by Buzz123

If he's carrying your butt out of a burning building and saving your life, are you gonna tell him he's makin' too much money?

Yeah, but the point is that competent people would still be incented to do the job well for significantly less pay. Looking through that list got me thinking for a moment of giving up my software development business and becoming a firefighter......or a park maintenance supervisor for that matter.

[Trash Can]

Originally Posted by observer53

Why should public sector employees be limited to wages allowing them to afford a "modest middle class lifestyle"????? Just as in the private sector, one gets compensated more for greater responsibilities.

How are public sector employees being limited? Are they not allowed to look for another another job? If they feel they are not being compensated appropriately for their services, they should look elsewhere. Even if it means that they take a job in the <gasp> private sector.

[Robustus]

Originally Posted by BBMW

Also politics and public relations come into play. Public sector employees tend to be a fairly large voting block, and they can use this to their advantage. If they're unionized, even they have even more influence, because the unions will use their organizational and financial muscle to back politicians that raise their members compensation. At the same time, how closely are the rest of the voters watching? Politics is about buying votes with other peoples (taxpayers) money. This is one way it's done.

Yes, this is an inelegance of democracy. It yields a one-way function where people vote their self-interest, be it higher gov wages, or higher gov social spending, which causes a feedback loop that inevitably trends over the long-term toward more bloat and spending.

Naturally, this can't go on forever (though it *can* go on for much longer than people might think). Long term economic stagflation is probably the best-case ultimate outcome. We probably just have to accept this, at this point. So maybe the correct play is to just throw in the towel, and try to snag a nice government job as a high-expectation way of grabbing more than your fair share of the pie.

[nevadaned]

And the thing that irks me is that I work well over 100 hours a week. I'm young and I make a fraction of what these guys make. Yes I'm young and coming up and work with honesty and have a good attitude. When I speak with these people making $200,000 a year working 40 hours a week with 4 weeks paid vacation they speak to me like trash and that they don't have the time for it. Most all of them have a crappy attitude, treat private citizens with disrespect, and are just miserable people in general.

If those of us in the private sector made that kind of money, with those benefits, those hours, and that job security we would be the most pleasant person in the world. I guess government jobs just attract miserable people.

*I am making a generalization so please don't think I am talking about everyone in government as there are lots of great people who do a very good job (Public disclaimer)

[dynimagelv]

Originally Posted by nevadaned

And the thing that irks me is that I work well over 100 hours a week. I'm young and I make a fraction of what these guys make. Yes I'm young and coming up and work with honesty and have a good attitude. When I speak with these people making $200,000 a year working 40 hours a week with 4 weeks paid vacation they speak to me like trash and that they don't have the time for it. Most all of them have a crappy attitude, treat private citizens with disrespect, and are just miserable people in general.

If those of us in the private sector made that kind of money, with those benefits, those hours, and that job security we would be the most pleasant person in the world. I guess government jobs just attract miserable people.

*I am making a generalization so please don't think I am talking about everyone in government as there are lots of great people who do a very good job (Public disclaimer)

now THERE you get no argument from me....

or even WORSE....our 'elected' officials that draw 100% of thei salary for life is they manage to avoid impeachment for one term in office.

[quixotic59]

Salaries in Investment Banking (with bonus)
Job Level Salary RangeTypical All-in Comp Prerequisite(degree/yrs experience)
First Year Analyst $90K - 150K$125K Bachelor's
Third Year Analyst $120K - 350K$165K Bachelor's
First Year Associate $150K - 250K$180K MBA
Third Year Associate $300 - 500K$350K MBA
Vice President $350K - 1MM$700K 3-6 years
Director / Principal $400K - 1.5MM$900K 5-10 years
Managing Director / Partner $500K - 20 MM$1.5 MM 7-10 years
Department head $800K - 70MM$3.5MM 10+ years

Right, public sector salaries are way out of line.

For comparison, in NYC a teacher must work at least 22 years and have at least a Master's degree plus 30 credits beyond to hit the top salary of $100,000.
In Las Vegas, the last time we checked top salary was in the neighborhood of $70,000 with similar requirements (Did have a bit of trouble deciphering the pay scales).

Also remember that many of the banking salaries were saved using TARP funds.

[Trash Can]

Originally Posted by quixotic59

Also remember that many of the banking salaries were saved using TARP funds.

TARP was a bad idea as well - you will get no argument with me on that.

However, that does not excuse what's happening with public sector employee compensation. I have no problem paying these people a good wage with good benefits when we can afford them. When we can't (like now), it must be cut just like everyone else in the real world has to deal with.