pBills

HAHAHAHA!!!

For reasons... I do not want to hear "anyone but Obama" or anything like that. It's plain as day that the majority of PPP is Republican.

I never said that they deserve as much as an executive. Most executives I know make a HELL of a lot more than $80-$100k after 25 years of service. So, to be clear.. I believe that a teacher averaging anywhere between $80-$100k per year in their top three earning years is not that bad. I would hate to tell you that most graduates with a bachelors degree earn a decent wage... around $45 - $50k. Also, earning anywhere from a 3% - 5% raise per year is normal. So after 25 years of service, one would expect that they would be making good money. Does longevity not account for anything? A 35 yr vacation? Seriously? If they are paying into their pension, just like you would be paying into your 401(k), are they not allowed to retire after 25 years? What's next, do we demand that teachers start at $25k per year, work for 30 years in the hopes that they end up making only $50k-$60k when they are ready to retire? You keep forgetting that teachers into their pensions, just like you pay into a 401(k). I guess you are not taking into account that they will receive a reduced Social Security benefits earned from previous jobs. Something you receive full value on. What about teachers in many states don't receive SS on top of their pensions. So let me ask you... what should a teachers starting salary be with Bachelors Degree? Masters Degree? If their salary was capped, what would that amount be? If their pensions were taken away, should the State offer a 401(k) program? What about OT for working nights and weekends? Reimbursement for supplies (average ranges anywhere from $395 - $950) that they buy for their classes? Since we're talking about Public Service Employees... should be lower the starting salaries for attorneys, firemen, police, engineers, etc?

How is accountability completely placed at the feet of the teacher? Students work ethic and support at home are not included in this?

I think it's laughable that anyone could call what they make executive pay. Maybe at the end of their 25 years they will be making upwards of $80k +. I think it's even worse that you would state their job is a "monkey's job"? So what do you do? What can we equate that too? Since a teacher doesn't really need to have any skills, I guess the need for a Bachelors Degree / Masters Degree is not necessary right?

Totally agree with you. People dish the crap out but can't take it.

It would be more expensive because normally with 401(k)'s the employer matches to a point. I get so tired of hearing about how everything is screwing over future generations. Especially when it comes on the backs those who are educating those future generations.

No, I never hinted at it. I simply stated it takes more than a teacher for kid to succeed. Obviously perfect scenario is that what I said... good teacher, students willingness to work hard, support system at home. So to answer your question.. yes. Why not? For teachers that is their retirement package. Not having an opportunity to have a 401(k) or some other co-funded retirement program. Some states looked into that, however it would actually be more expensive do it. Keep in mind that they do contribute to their own pensions, so they helping to support it themselves, not simply receiving it for free. Also, in some states teachers do not receive Social Security on top of their pensions. Federal Laws... the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) cut down the Social Security benefit a teacher earned from previous jobs. So keeping all of that in mind, plus the years of service... I have no problem with them receiving a pension. No moron.. to simply say "Hey you don't like your job, get a new one" is stupid at the present time.

Did I say that? One can only teach so far, after a while it is on the students willingness to learn and work hard. Simple fact.

Anyone can attempt to change their job. You make it sound like it's the easiest thing to do in this market. You don't like it... quit and put your resume in for a job with 300+ people. How are you judging their performance? How much of overall performance based on the student working/studying hard? How much is based on home life and parenting? Not saying all teachers are great, but if teachers give the means, after a while isn't it on the student with help from parents to push forward?

Of course they are still talking to the NFLPA. The Decert only means that they can't be represented by the union. The players who are not "superstars" in my opinion aren't really thinking this through. Having high-profile names like Manning, Brady, etc, players who are normally the closest with the owners, was the best move moving forward. What owner or person is going to give a crap about Player Smith who sits 2nd or 3rd on the bench.

HAHAHAHA!!! McCain wouldn't have touched the healthcare problem at all. When did Obama apologize for our actions over the last 80 years... must have missed that one. McCain probably would have put a moratorium on off-shore drilling making sure that companies were under compliance. He probably would have just lifted it earlier. How is the BP oil spill now Obama's fault? Is that like blaming Bush for Katrina? I can't remember a President that would open the strategic oil reserve. How did Obama take pressure off of terror groups? He sided with the rebels in Libya.. ok. Oil going up has nothing to with Obama, it's all speculators and the issues in the middle-east. Do you actually believe prices will ever come down? What would McCain do? :-) You are right about unions, McCain would try to bury them. Talking about Bush with spending... "During his eight years in office, President Bush oversaw a large increase in government spending. In fact, President Bush increased government spending more than any of the six presidents preceding him, including LBJ. In his last term in office, President Bush increased discretionary outlays by an estimated 48.6 percent. During his eight years in office, President Bush spent almost twice as much as his predecessor, President Clinton. Adjusted for inflation, in eight years, President Clinton increased the federal budget by 11 percent. In eight years, President Bush increased it by a whopping 104 percent." Control the Media... again HAHAHAHA!!

How about the problem is both spending AND revenue.

Are you taking in account the additional nights and weekends? May I ask what you do?

So after 25 years of service in your mind their pension should only be $35k. Wow, how very kind of you. If that is the case I guess we should reduce the size of their classes and make sure they don't pay for supplies out of their own pocket and hell give them a longer summer break.

Salary A-Hole and working

From here on out... I would like for people to tell me what they think a fair salary is for a teacher with 25 years service.

I think that sounds ridiculous. I said earlier that States need to look at Superintendents make as well. Some are pulling in salaries they don't match their district.

mcea.nea.org site

My claim is that not every teacher all across the country is making a $100k when they retire.

And good for you... does that mean everyone can do that? No.

From the Montgomery County Education Association - take it or leave it... up to you. In 2002, when the markets were hitting new heights, the General Assembly voted to cut back on its annual contributions to the pension plan by approving “corridor funding”. (The legislature did this to partially offset the cost of a statewide tax cut). Just as it was a serious mistake in 2002 for the state to cut its contributions during a bull market, it would be a mistake to slash benefits due to a bear market. Pension plan assets are invested for the long haul, and the legislature shouldn’t make hasty decisions based on short-term market performance. Want to learn more? The General Assembly’s Dept. of Legislative Services has produce a number of informative background papers that have been presented to the state’s “Public Employees’ and Retirees’ Benefit Sustainability Commission. You can find all the working papers at http://mlis.state.md.us/other/BenefitsSustainabilityCommission/index.htm . To answer the question of sustainability, we must first understand how we got here: • In 2000, the Maryland State Teachers Retirement and Pension Fund was fully funded, largely due to investment gains in a strong market. • In 2002, the legislature voted to partially offset the cost of a statewide tax cut by changing the funding formula for the pension plan. The state's contribution rates were frozen at FY2000 levels as long as funded status was between 90% and 110%. That's the "corridor". And if the funding status fell below 90%, the state only had to increase its annual contribution by 1/5 of the shortfall each year – allowing the underfunding to continue to accelerate . In the subsequent eight years, several things have happened: • 'Corridor funding' decreased the amount that the state government put into the pension plan each year. • In 2006, the legislature voted to improve the pension plan’s benefits; moving the Maryland plan from one of the worst in the nation to the national average. Participants increased their annual contribution to the plan from 2% to 5% of salary. • The recession caused a massive drop in both the value of the plan's assets and its annual investment income - as was true for every other investment fund in the nation. Reports indicate that the losses in investment income and value due to the recession account for 85% of the current shortfall. Just as it was ill-advised for the legislature to approve the “corridor funding” rule in 2002 on the heels of a bull market, it would be ill-advised in 2010 to slash plan benefits on the heels of the most recent bear market. Did I say after 30 years MD teachers were making less than $42k/year? Umm no. Go back and read Tom. And by the way it was from MCEA.

Either way, but we still need to take away 1/3 or maybe 1/4 of the defense budget. Dissolving the Department of Education... I would like to hear the pros and cons on that. Medicare Drug Benefit, I can see altering it so that the system can use it's purchasing power to keep the rates down. I worry about Repealing Obama's Healthcare Plan and Increasing the Social Security Retirement Age. Healthcare, I would rather make amendments to it than HOPE it would ever come to light again. And with the history from both sides of the aisle when taking this on... that would be a long shot. Social Security Retirement Age... altering Social Security a bit. No problem. Problem I have with raising the age is that with many professions the workers bodies just can't hold up until 68 or 70 years old. So after a lifetime of service to make $70k is way to much? $17,484. is the current average annual pension benefit for retirees in the Maryland Teachers’ Pension System. After 30 years of service in Maryland’s schools, that amounts to less than $1,500 a month.

Horribly... keep in mind the average salary also depends on State / District and Cost of Living in that area. Example: Oklahoma would be roughly half of what those in California make. You want to save money, look at what Superintendents make. Average In my State, Maryland.. they make a TON!!! Starting Salary: $37,125 Average Salary: $54,333

Defense NEEDS to be cut if they are seriously going to change anything. Personally, I do not believe in the Paul Ryan idea of lowering taxes especially if the tax loopholes will be left open. And let's face it, even if they close most of loop holes those with the means will find ways around them. So then what? Just keep them the same?