This is the type of blueprint that will have to be used to clean up the massive and insidious largesse that the public sector has heaped on the people (at least the producing people):

http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2010/02/chris_christies_speech_on_budg.html

There will be a gnashing of teeth in the streets .................... I look forward to it.

Well, looks like NJ will be an interesting test case. It will be interesting to see the ramifications for such a freeze.

pretty crazy to see the amount of money they're paying in benefits for teachers compared to what they pay in

"One state retiree, 49 years old, paid, over the course of his entire career, a total of $124,000 towards his retirement pension and health benefits. What will we pay him? $3.3 million in pension payments over his life and nearly $500,000 for health care benefits -- a total of $3.8m on a $120,000 investment. Is that fair?"

Hell no it's not fair. This is why the public workers/teachers unions need restructured. We need to do to them exactly what they did to the business community back in the day. They are taking advantage of the tax payer now, and it's time to level the playing field for ALL workers.

I agree with Mr. 300 on this point big time.

For the "other" state that had a gubernatorial election last fall, here is an update:

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/article/mcdonnell_budget_cuts_to_include_furloughs/324876/

On the one hand I don't like seeing anyone have wages/benefits reduced or lose their jobs, but at some point people in the public sector need to understand they are part of the recession like everyone else, and to the extent there isn't money, there simply isn't money. We've let the government sector get so far out of control some people think it is a God given right for absolute job security and a pension.....two words. Tough shit. This isn't reality.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/national-debt-budget-deficit-scary-forecast-taxpayers/story?id=9854459

quakeroats I posted the same link on this thread:

http://www.freehuddle.com/Thread-President-Obama-issues-executive-order-to-create-Deficit-Commission

I'm the eternal optimist, but goddamn, this country might be screwed. I'm going to Vegas and blow my 401(k) funds!

"I'm going to Vegas and blow my 401(k) funds! "

What .... in defiance of the directives from the messiah ???

Let the political demagoguery begin.

Blind kids getting the shaft, people will get institutionalized who could have lived independent lives, and of course free and reduced lunches for children could be at risk.
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/blind_13-year-old_tells_assemb.html

You knew this was coming. What a heartless troll Gov. Chris Christie must be.

The liberals are already in meltdown mode. Anyone with common sense knows that a business must make cuts to reign in a deficit, and the state of NJ is no different. Let him do his thing and see what happens.