Corrupt Union - 1, Honest Government - 0
Posted on March 19, 2008
You may recall that we’ve discussed the plight of government officials in New Haven, Connecticut who have been trying to hold corrupt unionized policemen in their city to account for their lawbreaking. Of course, what stands in their way if not the policemen’s union?
Well, it looks like the government officials who are trying to arrange some sort of punishment for these criminal cops have been thwarted from being able to cancel the pensions of the criminals.
The Yale Daily News gives us an update on the good luck of two criminal cops who will still — as of now — be allowed to get their city pensions despite their criminal activities.
But two weeks ago, an arbitrator delivered a blow to these efforts when he ruled that the NHPD could not terminate two of the charged officers, Lt. William “Billy†White and Detective Clarence Willoughby, because they had already filed for retirement, which takes effect immediately. The decision means White and Willoughby are entitled to full pensions from the city, an outcome City Hall officials have said undermines its efforts to overhaul the department.
And guess who thinks this is a good idea? You got it, the union.
But some, including members of the NHPD and union affiliates, argue that revoking benefits would unfairly punish family members of officers convicted of corruption and deny officers the money they contributed to the city’s pension fund out of their paychecks.
Imagine that, eh? So, we in the public are expected to sit back and smile as union members participate in criminal activities, but we should allow them to still receive the pensions that our government dollars go, in part, to fund?
There should be NO consequences for violating the public trust?
Yes, that is precisely what these union hacks and thugs are saying.
Oh, but it’s for the children these union thieves are saying. We shouldn’t penalize the children by taking the pension their fathers or mothers paid in to all those years. See, it’s for the children. Now the unions represent the children?
Sorry, but if these scum bag criminal cops were caught in their crimes, their children are not enough of a reason to let them off scott free. These enemies to good government and the public trust should have thought about all that before they decided to become criminals!
And, who can doubt that if a “bad boy clause” — as the removal of a pension for crimes is being called — was never implemented there would be one less reason for government officials to obey the law. After all, if they get caught, they won’t lose their undeserved pensions. In fact, they will be rewarded for their criminal actions by being able to keep their pensions.
This is yet another reason why unions are antithetical to good government and the public weal and another fine example of why unions should be illegal for government workers.
» Filed Under News, Union Mafias/Thugs
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One Response to “Corrupt Union - 1, Honest Government - 0”
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I don’t want to have this sound as if I’m in favor of rewarding illegal activity of the cops who have been found to be involved in illegal activity; not having read up on this particular mess I would hope the criminal proceedings have run the course with a finding of guilty so as not to play the popular game of “trial by mediaâ€. In our day and age the pointing of a finger has the overall effect, warranted or not, of a finding of guilt and ruins careers just as easily. Teachers are automatically child molesters and are removed from classrooms when a disgruntled child fails a test; rather than study the material the poor innocent child makes an accusation of improper contact; the damage is done. I would hope this is not the case; but that issue having been expressed, there is little can be done if someone “under investigation†resigns under fire and then nothing is done in the criminal courts as a follow up.
The idea of “bad guy cops†in the ranks of the police department is repugnant and they should be dealt with according to the law. The idea of them receiving a pension from the city is also repugnant; however, I can see where the implementation of a “bad boy clause†would be justified, just that it couldn’t be used retroactively.
By all means, the taxpayers should provide serious wording in the contracts of all civil servants and elected officials which would limit the amount of retirement money paid out in the event of criminal activity which leads to an ended career regardless of time on the job. The idea of being “vested†due to time on the job would have to be included as a forfeiture of such time spent based on the outcome of criminal proceedings.
While it is an embarrassment that retirement funds should have to be paid to convicted criminals or their families, convicted criminals who at one time were employed to protect the taxpayers; unless such a “bad boy†arrangement was included in the city charter or contract I see this as a dead end which can only serve to make trial lawyers happy should the city wish to deny these particular ex-officers.
Use this incident as a means to improve the future, let the veins in our necks swell as we pay for our poor planning and their continued fleecing of the taxpayers money; but get on with the business of life.
Now, take this idea a step further and do away with the pensions of elected officials; aldermen, mayors, governors, legislators, senators and presidents. When these folks become aware of the consequences of criminal activity they continue to laugh at the little people who put them in office, they continue to get rich making speeches, they continue to receive payment for having been in office regardless of the quality of service rendered. You can bet the unions will never permit such a clause to enter the discussions during contract time; now what kind of reception will there be when such a “bad boy†clause is placed before those elected officials who one day might be denied their pensions? You can bet the mortgage such a clause will be tabled forever and never see the light of day.