66 replies to this topic

[davek]

... one must assume that the quality and/or value of my output must be exponentially higher than sebbery's - because the labour market wouldn't sustain paying someone more than someone else, all things being equal.

But all things aren't equal. As a public servant, I am protected from labour market competition because government is a monopoly provider of services which taxpayers must purchase whether they consume them or not. Furthermore, my union has a great advantage because it negotiates with people who not only depend on my fellow members for votes, but are also spending other peoples' money rather than their own. Of course, one day the market WILL have its way (a la Greece), but for now there is no question but that I am paid more than I would be if my services were subject to true labour market competition.

[Ms. B. Havin]

^ Whoa, I just had a moment of significant cognitive dissonance, davek! You have repeatedly advocated fairly extreme libertarian views, yet your post just now suggests that you yourself are a public servant, safe and sound in the bosom of government... wth?

[davek]

... your post just now suggests that you yourself are a public servant, safe and sound in the bosom of government... wth?

I've disclose in other threads that I am a government employee. Privatization of my position could result in a loss of earnings for my family, but I still advocate for it.

[Bob Fugger]

But all things aren't equal. As a public servant, I am protected from labour market competition because government is a monopoly provider of services which taxpayers must purchase whether they consume them or not. Furthermore, my union has a great advantage because it negotiates with people who not only depend on my fellow members for votes, but are also spending other peoples' money rather than their own. Of course, one day the market WILL have its way (a la Greece), but for now there is no question but that I am paid more than I would be if my services were subject to true labour market competition.

Yes, I realize all things are not equal. In addition to the factors you've identified, the labour market, society, etc., places a greater value on the output of my work than - using sebbery's example - selling computers. It's not just because I am protected by a monopoly and a union.

As for being a government employee with staunch libertarian values...well, what can I really say? Isn't that kind of like saying that you don't believe in capital punishment, but then you take a job as the guy who administers the lethal injection and then rationalize your choice of employment by saying that if you didn't get paid to do it then somebody else would? In a similar context, I've heard that referred to as "The Yuppie Nuremberg Defence."

Bit of a /credibility_fail, if you ask me.

[davek]

In addition to the factors you've identified, the labour market, society, etc., places a greater value on the output of my work than - using sebbery's example - selling computers.

Sebbery's example was not comparing what you do against selling computers. It was comparing similar public and private sector jobs and demonstrating the public sector spot paid more for less work. Furthermore, so long as your wage is protected by monopoly and the public sector union advantage, the societal and labour market valuation of your output relative to his cannot be determined.

... and then rationalize your choice of employment by saying that if you didn't get paid to do it then somebody else would?

I didn't rationalize my choice of employment. I pointed out that I advocate libertarian policy even where it may have an adverse affect on me and mine. Libertarians don't argue people shouldn't drive on government roads, put their kids in government schools, collect government welfare, take government jobs, use government healthcare, and so forth, so no rationalization is required.

[G-Man]

Geez and I call myself a moderator. OFF TOPIC G-MAN

[G-Man]

Sorry i am off topicing myself. This thread is quite rightly for municipal elections. I will move other thoughts to the new thread in Politics Thread