Gorging At The Public Trough

[Wry Catcher]

lets go over your points:

1. It depends on the system. Some base your pension on your last few years of service, including overtime. This is what gutted the higher echelons of the FDNY as those who worked massive overtime after 9/11 retired when they could with thier over base salaries. I dont blame them for it, as staying in under the rules would cost them money.

2. The amount paid in is usually woefully under what is required to fund your whole retirement, not including interest accured while you work. This is the main problem of defined benefits retirement packages as opposed to defined contribution.

3. This is only base salary, and maybe overtime. what is not included is what is paid into for fringe beneifts, and of course payouts for unused sick/vacation time at the end (i have no issue with payout for unused vacation time, my only issue is with sick)

4. Elected officals who pander to the public unions, who represent a huge relatively monolitic voting block (particularly in local elections.) The workers become the bosses when it comes to employee pay and benefits, without having the risk or cost of being a boss, as the overall cost of these elevated salaries and benefits are paid for by the tax base as a whole.

5. In NYC the retired cops and firefighters get a 12k a year "bonus" from something negotiated decades ago.

6. That formula is only for a specific case. Some use a system like I described above, with something like a 10 year requirement prior to you being eligible for a pension.

I can't and didn't source NYC, I reported on the system I'm familiar with. You're correct when you suggest the final base salary can and is different in different systems. I simply provided one example, one I know and one I benefit from to disabuse those who believe as does Maddie the propaganda being used against public employees.
And yes, I bumped my salary, I sold 1/3 of my vacation (a perk only managers and above are provided) and 40 hours of Floating Holiday to bump by final years salary by one month. Floating holiday was substitued for Lincolns Birthday and Admission Day which once were holidays, instead each government employee earns 2 hours a month in lieu of those days off. Also any vacation not used is paid-off at retirement further bumping ones final compensation.
All of that said, all of those who are complaining failure to recognize how the RW plutocrats pit workers against each other. Propaganda works when one lets their emotion replace reason.

Cities going broke and needed support programs being cut to support grossly overpaid retirements are not propaganda chum....they are facts.

Cities and Counties signed contracts, much as a homeowner does when s/he secures a loan. When someone walks away from a mortgage, the power elite characterizes them as miscreants and considers such behavior morally corrupt. Seems as if the New Right finds such behavior is fine if voiding valid contracts hurts a targeted few; I find it nothing short of support of ethical relativism and

When business chooses to move to Mexico or India or China this action is considered a sound business decision, moral judgments are rarely made and when they are the new RW attacks the messenger as envious or socialistic and wanting government to control business.

When someone spends a career in government and is attacked because they accepted the terms of a contract offered they are called greedy, when a bank enforces a contract they are considered to act within the rule of law.

Cities and counties can and are negotiating take aways from the contracts signed during my career and future employees will not enjoy the benefits which convinced me to stay in government service. The goal of the plutocrats is to privatize everything; and those who support such movements may one day find that what they wished for was a deal negotiated by the devil.

 

[Madeline]

It is a defense to any contract that the party's performance is IMPOSSIBLE. I am so sad you are butt hurt that your lavish pension may be criticized. I have a kid or two in my family I would like to have a future and public pension funding is a barrier.

Tell me again, why an obligation of a city to YOU is far and away more sacred than its obligations to its current workers? Students? Citizens?

You can tell yourself anything you like, but the bottom line is, these pensions cannot possibly be funded at the levels they require to fulfill every promise made, and your solution is to suck up every dollar until they are.

And that, Wry Catcher, is what I call s-e-l-f-i-s-h.

 

[Oddball]

Cities and Counties signed contracts, much as a homeowner does when s/he secures a loan. When someone walks away from a mortgage, the power elite characterizes them as miscreants and considers such behavior morally corrupt. Seems as if the New Right finds such behavior is fine if voiding valid contracts hurts a targeted few; I find it nothing short of support of ethical relativism...

Kind of like when the Bully in Chief and/or his administrative goon squad just void the contracts of bankers and businessmen by fiat of decree, huh?

 

[saveliberty]

The whole thing is a vicous cycle. One union group comes up and asks for a raise because you gave the last one a raise at contract negoiations, and so on and so on. The pensioners and curent employees all show up and whine when the pension payout numbers come up for adjustment. Everyone knows Joe from when he was an employee, so its hard to say no raise. Well, the time has come where the pension fund can't maintain the payouts. Time to share the hurt pensioners.

 

[boedicca]

Cities and Counties signed contracts, much as a homeowner does when s/he secures a loan. When someone walks away from a mortgage, the power elite characterizes them as miscreants and considers such behavior morally corrupt. Seems as if the New Right finds such behavior is fine if voiding valid contracts hurts a targeted few; I find it nothing short of support of ethical relativism and.

You are making an incorrect comparison.

The deal is made between politicians who receive campaign donations from public employee unions in return for doling out excessive pay and beneifts to the union members.

The taxpayer who will pay for this is defrauded by both, and should not be bound to such bogus arrangements.

 

[westwall]

I can't and didn't source NYC, I reported on the system I'm familiar with. You're correct when you suggest the final base salary can and is different in different systems. I simply provided one example, one I know and one I benefit from to disabuse those who believe as does Maddie the propaganda being used against public employees.
And yes, I bumped my salary, I sold 1/3 of my vacation (a perk only managers and above are provided) and 40 hours of Floating Holiday to bump by final years salary by one month. Floating holiday was substitued for Lincolns Birthday and Admission Day which once were holidays, instead each government employee earns 2 hours a month in lieu of those days off. Also any vacation not used is paid-off at retirement further bumping ones final compensation.
All of that said, all of those who are complaining failure to recognize how the RW plutocrats pit workers against each other. Propaganda works when one lets their emotion replace reason.

Cities going broke and needed support programs being cut to support grossly overpaid retirements are not propaganda chum....they are facts.

Cities and Counties signed contracts, much as a homeowner does when s/he secures a loan. When someone walks away from a mortgage, the power elite characterizes them as miscreants and considers such behavior morally corrupt. Seems as if the New Right finds such behavior is fine if voiding valid contracts hurts a targeted few; I find it nothing short of support of ethical relativism and

When business chooses to move to Mexico or India or China this action is considered a sound business decision, moral judgments are rarely made and when they are the new RW attacks the messenger as envious or socialistic and wanting government to control business.

When someone spends a career in government and is attacked because they accepted the terms of a contract offered they are called greedy, when a bank enforces a contract they are considered to act within the rule of law.

Cities and counties can and are negotiating take aways from the contracts signed during my career and future employees will not enjoy the benefits which convinced me to stay in government service. The goal of the plutocrats is to privatize everything; and those who support such movements may one day find that what they wished for was a deal negotiated by the devil.

And when the cities go broke city workers will be fired and the contracts rendered null and void just like any other bankruptcy proceeding. Here in Sparks NV the firefighters Union was told that they needed to take a permanent 7% cut but they refused so 11 fire fighters were let go. The police union (who allready weren't paid as much as the firefighters took a 5.4% cut so lost no one. Additionally there were another 39 city workers laid off.

It's a fact of life, get used to it. You can spew your plutocrat nonsense but it is the PEOPLE of the cities, counties, and states who pay your inflated wages, and they are broke.
Looks like you're next in line. It's only natural.

 

[Wry Catcher]

It is a defense to any contract that the party's performance is IMPOSSIBLE. I am so sad you are butt hurt that your lavish pension may be criticized. I have a kid or two in my family I would like to have a future and public pension funding is a barrier.

Tell me again, why an obligation of a city to YOU is far and away more sacred than its obligations to its current workers? Students? Citizens?

You can tell yourself anything you like, but the bottom line is, these pensions cannot possibly be funded at the levels they require to fulfill every promise made, and your solution is to suck up every dollar until they are.

And that, Wry Catcher, is what I call s-e-l-f-i-s-h.

I'm sorry. Maybe you might consider an alternative to contract law. Any contract which offends you ought to by fiat be null and void. Stating that contracts with public employees deny kids in your family a future is total bullshit - you've been delivered a scapegoat and can't see beyond the emotional appeal of the propaganda of the RW and the GOP.
New contracts will not offer the benefits I recieved, suggesting I'm selfish and attacking my character is typical of many on this MB. I'm saddened that envy has put you in that grouping.
You're okay with bonuses and insider trading, allowing the power elite to garner great wealth many times by playing golf or sleeping, or selling derivatives known to be worthless yet attack those who respond to great needs in the middle of the night at risk to themselves.

 

[westwall]

It is a defense to any contract that the party's performance is IMPOSSIBLE. I am so sad you are butt hurt that your lavish pension may be criticized. I have a kid or two in my family I would like to have a future and public pension funding is a barrier.

Tell me again, why an obligation of a city to YOU is far and away more sacred than its obligations to its current workers? Students? Citizens?

You can tell yourself anything you like, but the bottom line is, these pensions cannot possibly be funded at the levels they require to fulfill every promise made, and your solution is to suck up every dollar until they are.

And that, Wry Catcher, is what I call s-e-l-f-i-s-h.

I'm sorry. Maybe you might consider an alternative to contract law. Any contract which offends you ought to by fiat be null and void. Stating that contracts with public employees deny kids in your family a future is total bullshit - you've been delivered a scapegoat and can't see beyond the emotional appeal of the propaganda of the RW and the GOP.
New contracts will not offer the benefits I recieved, suggesting I'm selfish and attacking my character is typical of many on this MB. I'm saddened that envy has put you in that grouping.
You're okay with bonuses and insider trading, allowing the power elite to garner great wealth many times by playing golf or sleeping, or selling derivatives known to be worthless yet attack those who respond to great needs in the middle of the night at risk to themselves.

Nice try, it's not envy, it is a simple realisation you are overpaid and the people won't or can't afford you anymore.

 

[uscitizen]

Public sector unions have done more to damage our economy than any other single group including the so called top 2% most of who risk all that they have to provide jobs to those who can't or won't start their own businesses.

That congressional "union" is the worst of the lot.

 

[Madeline]

It is a defense to any contract that the party's performance is IMPOSSIBLE. I am so sad you are butt hurt that your lavish pension may be criticized. I have a kid or two in my family I would like to have a future and public pension funding is a barrier.

Tell me again, why an obligation of a city to YOU is far and away more sacred than its obligations to its current workers? Students? Citizens?

You can tell yourself anything you like, but the bottom line is, these pensions cannot possibly be funded at the levels they require to fulfill every promise made, and your solution is to suck up every dollar until they are.

And that, Wry Catcher, is what I call s-e-l-f-i-s-h.

I'm sorry. Maybe you might consider an alternative to contract law. Any contract which offends you ought to by fiat be null and void. Stating that contracts with public employees deny kids in your family a future is total bullshit - you've been delivered a scapegoat and can't see beyond the emotional appeal of the propaganda of the RW and the GOP.
New contracts will not offer the benefits I recieved, suggesting I'm selfish and attacking my character is typical of many on this MB. I'm saddened that envy has put you in that grouping.
You're okay with bonuses and insider trading, allowing the power elite to garner great wealth many times by playing golf or sleeping, or selling derivatives known to be worthless yet attack those who respond to great needs in the middle of the night at risk to themselves.

When did I say I was okay with insider trading, fraud or theft? You've seen me around, Wry Catcher....you know better than to call me a Big Business Worshipper. This is not envy talking -- we're in THE SAME POSITION, you and I.

I'm telling you, taking all the money you and your coworkers have been looking forward to is TOO MUCH. Dial back your expectations like everyone else...or it will likely be done TO you.

 

[boedicca]

It's called Deflection.

Instead of owning up to being one of the public trough feeders, WC is attempting a "but but but what about somebody else....?????" maneuver. Trying and failing, I might add.

 

[Wry Catcher]

Cities and Counties signed contracts, much as a homeowner does when s/he secures a loan. When someone walks away from a mortgage, the power elite characterizes them as miscreants and considers such behavior morally corrupt. Seems as if the New Right finds such behavior is fine if voiding valid contracts hurts a targeted few; I find it nothing short of support of ethical relativism and.

You are making an incorrect comparison.

The deal is made between politicians who receive campaign donations from public employee unions in return for doling out excessive pay and beneifts to the union members.

The taxpayer who will pay for this is defrauded by both, and should not be bound to such bogus arrangements.

Nonsense. The taxpayers were defrauded by the Bush Administration when they invaded and occupied Iraq on false premises. How do we unbound those killed and maimed in this conflict?

A contract is a contract, and cities and counties can only void a contract by bankruptcy.

The fact that politicians receive donations doesn't escape me, I've started several theads pointing out these 'donations' are simply bribes. And you and others on the right defend these actions and support the USSC decision in Citizens United v. FEC.

 

[westwall]

Cities and Counties signed contracts, much as a homeowner does when s/he secures a loan. When someone walks away from a mortgage, the power elite characterizes them as miscreants and considers such behavior morally corrupt. Seems as if the New Right finds such behavior is fine if voiding valid contracts hurts a targeted few; I find it nothing short of support of ethical relativism and.

You are making an incorrect comparison.

The deal is made between politicians who receive campaign donations from public employee unions in return for doling out excessive pay and beneifts to the union members.

The taxpayer who will pay for this is defrauded by both, and should not be bound to such bogus arrangements.

Nonsense. The taxpayers were defrauded by the Bush Administration when they invaded and occupied Iraq on false premises. How do we unbound those killed and maimed in this conflict?

A contract is a contract, and cities and counties can only void a contract by bankruptcy.

The fact that politicians receive donations doesn't escape me, I've started several theads pointing out these 'donations' are simply bribes. And you and others on the right defend these actions and support the USSC decision in Citizens United v. FEC.

You are in California, the mess CA finds itself in can be dated back to Jerry Browns first go round as Gov when he allowed collective bargaining for public employee unions, my god but you are pathetic trying to blame it all on Booosh. You greedy bastards have done it to yourselves. On average a public employee is paid 22% more than the same worker in the private sector. If you are a landscaper working for BART your base pay is 78,000 a year, that is absurd.

 

[boedicca]

Cities and Counties signed contracts, much as a homeowner does when s/he secures a loan. When someone walks away from a mortgage, the power elite characterizes them as miscreants and considers such behavior morally corrupt. Seems as if the New Right finds such behavior is fine if voiding valid contracts hurts a targeted few; I find it nothing short of support of ethical relativism and.

You are making an incorrect comparison.

The deal is made between politicians who receive campaign donations from public employee unions in return for doling out excessive pay and beneifts to the union members.

The taxpayer who will pay for this is defrauded by both, and should not be bound to such bogus arrangements.

Nonsense. The taxpayers were defrauded by the Bush Administration when they invaded and occupied Iraq on false premises. How do we unbound those killed and maimed in this conflict?

A contract is a contract, and cities and counties can only void a contract by bankruptcy.

The fact that politicians receive donations doesn't escape me, I've started several theads pointing out these 'donations' are simply bribes. And you and others on the right defend these actions and support the USSC decision in Citizens United v. FEC.

You sure are ignorant - it's horrifying to think you teach your historical illiteracy to impressionable children.

Jerry Brown signed the Dills Act in 1978. This act enabled collective bargaining by government employees in CA. And it's all been downhill since then in terms of fiscal responsibility.

California's $500-billion pension time bomb - Page 2 - Los Angeles Times

 

[Wry Catcher]

Wry Catcher wrote:

I can't and didn't source NYC, I reported on the system I'm familiar with. You're correct when you suggest the final base salary can and is different in different systems. I simply provided one example, one I know and one I benefit from to disabuse those who believe as does Maddie the propaganda being used against public employees.
And yes, I bumped my salary, I sold 1/3 of my vacation (a perk only managers and above are provided) and 40 hours of Floating Holiday to bump by final years salary by one month. Floating holiday was substitued for Lincolns Birthday and Admission Day which once were holidays, instead each government employee earns 2 hours a month in lieu of those days off. Also any vacation not used is paid-off at retirement further bumping ones final compensation.
All of that said, all of those who are complaining failure to recognize how the RW plutocrats pit workers against each other. Propaganda works when one lets their emotion replace reason.

Bullshit. The fact is, the interests of the citizens of Cincinnati are in tension with the interests of that city's public employees due to retire.

Selfishness offends me, Wry Catcher. I am sick of people saying we should get to solving our problems but that their interests are inviolate sacred cows. I have a state pension myself, along with medical insurance. I fully expect -- and have planned for -- the loss of my insurance at some point. I would be willing to consider, and might even support, a reduction in my pension benefit if my former employer were severely on the ropes.

Tell me, IYO, how many school lunch programs should be reduced to fund the bumps in Cincinnati? How many libraries closed? How many street repairs deferred?

You continue to blame one cause for the nation-wide economic crisis. Can you possibly think of other causes for the plight of cities and counties? You've found a simple solution to a series of serious problems and the only reason is Wry Catcher retired after 33 years in a government job, a job which enticed him with an excellent healthcare and retirement program, all of which were offered to him in 1973 during a time of stagflation.
Now you claim Wry is selfish in doing so and deprives children of lunch. At one time I thought you were a bit smarter than that. My mistake.

 

[westwall]

Wry Catcher wrote:

I can't and didn't source NYC, I reported on the system I'm familiar with. You're correct when you suggest the final base salary can and is different in different systems. I simply provided one example, one I know and one I benefit from to disabuse those who believe as does Maddie the propaganda being used against public employees.
And yes, I bumped my salary, I sold 1/3 of my vacation (a perk only managers and above are provided) and 40 hours of Floating Holiday to bump by final years salary by one month. Floating holiday was substitued for Lincolns Birthday and Admission Day which once were holidays, instead each government employee earns 2 hours a month in lieu of those days off. Also any vacation not used is paid-off at retirement further bumping ones final compensation.
All of that said, all of those who are complaining failure to recognize how the RW plutocrats pit workers against each other. Propaganda works when one lets their emotion replace reason.

Bullshit. The fact is, the interests of the citizens of Cincinnati are in tension with the interests of that city's public employees due to retire.

Selfishness offends me, Wry Catcher. I am sick of people saying we should get to solving our problems but that their interests are inviolate sacred cows. I have a state pension myself, along with medical insurance. I fully expect -- and have planned for -- the loss of my insurance at some point. I would be willing to consider, and might even support, a reduction in my pension benefit if my former employer were severely on the ropes.

Tell me, IYO, how many school lunch programs should be reduced to fund the bumps in Cincinnati? How many libraries closed? How many street repairs deferred?

You continue to blame one cause for the nation-wide economic crisis. Can you possibly think of other causes for the plight of cities and counties? You've found a simple solution to a series of serious problems and the only reason is Wry Catcher retired after 33 years in a government job, a job which enticed him with an excellent healthcare and retirement program, all of which were offered to him in 1973 during a time of stagflation.
Now you claim Wry is selfish in doing so and deprives children of lunch. At one time I thought you were a bit smarter than that. My mistake.

Typical. Most public employees have no clue how economics work. Here's a primer, you don't create anything. At best a public worker is benign. The private sector creates wealth. When there is enough wealth a lot of people can feed at it. when the private sector begins to go down the rest of the people feeding at the trough have to likewise take less. Public employees are the only ones who think they can ignore simple economics. Amazing, you pass a pretty simple Public Employees Test and think your something special.

I was better educated by the time I was 24 than you will ever be in your life and you think you're special because of a test....wow, just wow.

 

[Oddball]

It is a defense to any contract that the party's performance is IMPOSSIBLE. I am so sad you are butt hurt that your lavish pension may be criticized. I have a kid or two in my family I would like to have a future and public pension funding is a barrier.

Tell me again, why an obligation of a city to YOU is far and away more sacred than its obligations to its current workers? Students? Citizens?

You can tell yourself anything you like, but the bottom line is, these pensions cannot possibly be funded at the levels they require to fulfill every promise made, and your solution is to suck up every dollar until they are.

And that, Wry Catcher, is what I call s-e-l-f-i-s-h.

I'm sorry. Maybe you might consider an alternative to contract law. Any contract which offends you ought to by fiat be null and void. Stating that contracts with public employees deny kids in your family a future is total bullshit - you've been delivered a scapegoat and can't see beyond the emotional appeal of the propaganda of the RW and the GOP.
New contracts will not offer the benefits I recieved, suggesting I'm selfish and attacking my character is typical of many on this MB. I'm saddened that envy has put you in that grouping.
You're okay with bonuses and insider trading, allowing the power elite to garner great wealth many times by playing golf or sleeping, or selling derivatives known to be worthless yet attack those who respond to great needs in the middle of the night at risk to themselves.

When did I say I was okay with insider trading, fraud or theft? You've seen me around, Wry Catcher....you know better than to call me a Big Business Worshipper. This is not envy talking -- we're in THE SAME POSITION, you and I.

I'm telling you, taking all the money you and your coworkers have been looking forward to is TOO MUCH. Dial back your expectations like everyone else...or it will likely be done TO you.

You're getting an object lesson in the attitude of entitlement borne by the moocher class.

Not a pretty sight, is it?

 

[Wry Catcher]

You are making an incorrect comparison.

The deal is made between politicians who receive campaign donations from public employee unions in return for doling out excessive pay and beneifts to the union members.

The taxpayer who will pay for this is defrauded by both, and should not be bound to such bogus arrangements.

Nonsense. The taxpayers were defrauded by the Bush Administration when they invaded and occupied Iraq on false premises. How do we unbound those killed and maimed in this conflict?

A contract is a contract, and cities and counties can only void a contract by bankruptcy.

The fact that politicians receive donations doesn't escape me, I've started several theads pointing out these 'donations' are simply bribes. And you and others on the right defend these actions and support the USSC decision in Citizens United v. FEC.

You are in California, the mess CA finds itself in can be dated back to Jerry Browns first go round as Gov when he allowed collective bargaining for public employee unions, my god but you are pathetic trying to blame it all on Booosh. You greedy bastards have done it to yourselves. On average a public employee is paid 22% more than the same worker in the private sector. If you are a landscaper working for BART your base pay is 78,000 a year, that is absurd.

Yep. But simple facts are not always the entire story. Housing until the bust in California was absurd too. Homes of 1,500 Sq ft., on a 7,000 Sq. Ft. lot went for nearly $500,000 in the Bay Area where a BART employee would work. The cost of living in the SF Bay Area is one of the highest in the nation, yet it is by far one of the best places to live.

Blaming Brown is silly, every contract with employees was passed by the legislature and signed by three subsequent Republican Governors as part of the budget. Republicans were needed to pass the budgets and agreed if and only if taxes were not raised. There are many reasons for the economic crisis in California and California is not alone. Do some research on the State of Texas today.

 

[Wry Catcher]

I'm sorry. Maybe you might consider an alternative to contract law. Any contract which offends you ought to by fiat be null and void. Stating that contracts with public employees deny kids in your family a future is total bullshit - you've been delivered a scapegoat and can't see beyond the emotional appeal of the propaganda of the RW and the GOP.
New contracts will not offer the benefits I recieved, suggesting I'm selfish and attacking my character is typical of many on this MB. I'm saddened that envy has put you in that grouping.
You're okay with bonuses and insider trading, allowing the power elite to garner great wealth many times by playing golf or sleeping, or selling derivatives known to be worthless yet attack those who respond to great needs in the middle of the night at risk to themselves.

When did I say I was okay with insider trading, fraud or theft? You've seen me around, Wry Catcher....you know better than to call me a Big Business Worshipper. This is not envy talking -- we're in THE SAME POSITION, you and I.

I'm telling you, taking all the money you and your coworkers have been looking forward to is TOO MUCH. Dial back your expectations like everyone else...or it will likely be done TO you.

You're getting an object lesson in the attitude of entitlement borne by the moocher class.

Not a pretty sight, is it?

Thank you sharing. Oh, and nice to see the real you under that facade you usually present.

 

[westwall]

Nonsense. The taxpayers were defrauded by the Bush Administration when they invaded and occupied Iraq on false premises. How do we unbound those killed and maimed in this conflict?

A contract is a contract, and cities and counties can only void a contract by bankruptcy.

The fact that politicians receive donations doesn't escape me, I've started several theads pointing out these 'donations' are simply bribes. And you and others on the right defend these actions and support the USSC decision in Citizens United v. FEC.

You are in California, the mess CA finds itself in can be dated back to Jerry Browns first go round as Gov when he allowed collective bargaining for public employee unions, my god but you are pathetic trying to blame it all on Booosh. You greedy bastards have done it to yourselves. On average a public employee is paid 22% more than the same worker in the private sector. If you are a landscaper working for BART your base pay is 78,000 a year, that is absurd.

Yep. But simple facts are not always the entire story. Housing until the bust in California was absurd too. Homes of 1,500 Sq ft., on a 7,000 Sq. Ft. lot went for nearly $500,000 in the Bay Area where a BART employee would work. The cost of living in the SF Bay Area is one of the highest in the nation, yet it is by far one of the best places to live.

Blaming Brown is silly, every contract with employees was passed by the legislature and signed by three subsequent Republican Governors as part of the budget. Republicans were needed to pass the budgets and agreed if and only if taxes were not raised. There are many reasons for the economic crisis in California and California is not alone. Do some research on the State of Texas today.

I used to live in the Bay Area so know the housing market quite well. The majority of low income workers don't live on the peninsula, they live in the east bay (Concord, Clayton, Martinez, etc.) where houses could be found in the 300 range quite easily. If they couldn't afford that a little further out was Antioch. Brentwood, or Tracy where homes could be had for the low 200's for quite a while before that bubble inflated. BART has been paid exhorbitantly since long before the housing bubble got started so that dog don't hunt.