This New England

"When we remember that we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained."

-- Mark Twain

Read the terrific article "What's Wrong With Rhode Island,'' by John Maggs, in the Feb. 7 National Journal.

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They move fast in Warwick -- before the taxpayers know what's happening -- when it comes to local public union contracts. Consider this in Warwick:

The new Warwick City Council President, Bruce Place, has called for a rushed special meeting on Tuesday Feb 24, at 7 p.m. to ratify fire, police and other municipal union contracts. (The mayor quietly signed them last Friday -- providing the cover of a weekend.)

The public might want to look into its provisions before the meeting -- and then show up at the session -- unless they'd prefer a done deal. Or don't care. Whch is fine, too.

The proposed contracts' provisions don't entirely represent the world's current economic realtiies. These points were just sent to us by an irritated Robet Cushman.

• No layoff clause for three years for all unions.
• $14 per week health care co-pay for single plan.
• $28 per week for family ($1,456 a year) - governor is proposing a 25 percent co-pay ($3,750 a year).
• Municipal pension enhancements based on 2006 actuarial studies (does not account for recent market crash).
• Calculating employee retirements that have nothing to do with these contracts as savings associated with these contracts.
• Over $2 million in deferred benefits being claimed as savings - they are simply IOU's.
• Money that becomes available from federal stimulus will be given to unions to restore deferred benefits.

Nothing there of course about fixing the crumbling roof of Pilgrim High School, where tiles are falling on the kids.

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Read "You don't deserve to be rich,'' Matt Miller's latest column in The Daily Beast Web site, a column that starts:

''Yes, it should have been obvious before, but now that a seemingly endless parade of bankers have made fortunes while gutting their institutions and sinking the economy, we're finally having our eureka moment.

''Wealth in America increasingly comes not as the proverbial reward of the 'free market,' but from rigged compensation systems that reward mediocrity or outright failure.''

 Tags  Bruce Place Matt Miller rigged compensation systems Robert Cushman Warwick City Council

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