Common Themes

One thing these stories all have in common is public unions and high public union costs. There did not need to be police layoffs in Colorado Springs, nor does there need to be teacher furloughs in Hawaii.

To save jobs and services, all the unions had to do is agree to lower salaries and benefits. But the unions won't do it. In response, cities like Colorado Springs should outsource their police departments to the local sheriffs' association. They should also outsource every other city service as well, all to the low cost bidder.

The city's reaction was to stop collecting trash in its parks. Such actions are tantamount to blackmail, hoping to get voters to approve tax hikes.