In 1933 when Franklin Roosevelt became president, there was a 20 percent unemployment rate in the United States. By 1941, after an unprecedented build up of the government bureaucracy, we still had 18 percent unemployment. An event took place that year that put everyone to work: the beginning of U.S. involvement in World War II.
Roosevelt’s first eight years in office proved the point that the function of the federal government is not to attempt to create jobs at taxpayer expense, but rather to get out of the way so millions of entrepreneurs, big and small, can do just that.
Roosevelt did do a lot of good things, but creating jobs in the private sector was not one of them.
However, there is one area where I agree with him wholeheartedly. He said there was no place for unions representing government employees. He was absolutely right. I have been represented at both sides of the bargaining table as an employee and as an employer. Those who represented me were not seeking justice, but instead squeezing the other side for all they could get away with. Much like a lawyer in court. Winning the case for the client is the primary issue. Justice, if considered at all, is secondary.
Over the past decades one of the political parties has allowed and encouraged the numerous government employee unions to become a Frankenstein’s monster that is devouring the rest of us. We, the taxpayers, foolishly believe we are represented by our impartial Congress and Legislature.
When a court case is brought before an impartial judge, both sides are represented by an attorney. You and I, the taxpayer, are not being adequately represented in this similar scenario. But the other side is growing bigger and stronger every day. As our Legislature becomes more and more influenced and controlled by government employee unions, you and I will continue to pay throught the nose.
George Hawkinson
Everett
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
