We live in a screwed up world
I saw two completely unrelated stories on the yahoo scrolling bar this morning, and they were mutually ridiculous.
First, there was an article that listed five cities that have laid off, effectively fired, their police forces because of budget issues. The municipalities were all so financially screwed, that this seemed like a feasible option. There were smaller communities and a few cities. Some had a population of around 8,000 people, and others with over 20,000. Put in perspective, a department with 7 officers protecting 8,000 people, let 7 officers go. Officers that now have no job. We're not talking about 7 out of 20; we're talking 7 out of 7. The entire police force is gone. Same with a city of 20,000. 20 Officers were let go. Again, not 20 out of 45, 20 out of 20, all of them. 20 Officers that are now unemployed. Local Sheriff Departments have been called in to assist, but Sheriff Departments are potentially county wide. There's no guarantee that a police car will be at your home in less than 10 minutes, maybe 20 - 30 with travel time. They could be 2 - 3 towns out when they get the call. Before people start thinking the cops were paid outrageously, these are municipal jobs, therefore, public records are available. If people choose to complain, get information. Some of these officers made $15/hr. Not exactly "rolling in the dough". Some made ends meet by relying on details, where you see the cop directing traffic around construction site. Sure, details pay well, but did you ever wonder why? It's because they suck! Nobody wants to spend 4 hours standing around while other guys do work (insert jokes about leaning on shovels here). Cops do details for the pay; construction (utility, etc.) companies want police for insurance reasons. Not insurance=peace of mind, insurance=financial breaks. More and more places are going to "flag-men" for the work to save the money on the officers' rates, but then pay more for the insurance. Let's face it, though, trying to make a living on $15/hr isn't ideal, nevermind if they have families. Then people argue that city officers get paid more, but city life costs more. Higher real estate taxes, if there's multiple school districts, more percentages for schools out of your taxes, etc. It's all proportional. So, to recap, multiple localities are saving money by getting rid of their police force.
Then, in the same scrolling yahoo news bar, Taylor Swift was beat out as the highest earning woman in music. She only pulled in $45 million last year. $45 million, and that's second place. I'm not denying what Taylor Swift does, she's an entertainer. She gets paid to play music and sing. I'm sure it's her dream job, and all the power to her. Even if she only got paid $1 for every album sold, she'd be doing pretty damn good. If she only got 50cents for each ticket sold to her concerts, she'd be alright financially. Again, I'm not saying anything bad about her. She has a skill and has marketed it to her advantage. $45 million?
Yes, we may be one of the great nations, one of the last "super powers", but we are really screwed up in our own right.
Good luck to Ms. Swift at her next concert.
Good luck to all the newly unemployed men & women in blue.
First, there was an article that listed five cities that have laid off, effectively fired, their police forces because of budget issues. The municipalities were all so financially screwed, that this seemed like a feasible option. There were smaller communities and a few cities. Some had a population of around 8,000 people, and others with over 20,000. Put in perspective, a department with 7 officers protecting 8,000 people, let 7 officers go. Officers that now have no job. We're not talking about 7 out of 20; we're talking 7 out of 7. The entire police force is gone. Same with a city of 20,000. 20 Officers were let go. Again, not 20 out of 45, 20 out of 20, all of them. 20 Officers that are now unemployed. Local Sheriff Departments have been called in to assist, but Sheriff Departments are potentially county wide. There's no guarantee that a police car will be at your home in less than 10 minutes, maybe 20 - 30 with travel time. They could be 2 - 3 towns out when they get the call. Before people start thinking the cops were paid outrageously, these are municipal jobs, therefore, public records are available. If people choose to complain, get information. Some of these officers made $15/hr. Not exactly "rolling in the dough". Some made ends meet by relying on details, where you see the cop directing traffic around construction site. Sure, details pay well, but did you ever wonder why? It's because they suck! Nobody wants to spend 4 hours standing around while other guys do work (insert jokes about leaning on shovels here). Cops do details for the pay; construction (utility, etc.) companies want police for insurance reasons. Not insurance=peace of mind, insurance=financial breaks. More and more places are going to "flag-men" for the work to save the money on the officers' rates, but then pay more for the insurance. Let's face it, though, trying to make a living on $15/hr isn't ideal, nevermind if they have families. Then people argue that city officers get paid more, but city life costs more. Higher real estate taxes, if there's multiple school districts, more percentages for schools out of your taxes, etc. It's all proportional. So, to recap, multiple localities are saving money by getting rid of their police force.
Then, in the same scrolling yahoo news bar, Taylor Swift was beat out as the highest earning woman in music. She only pulled in $45 million last year. $45 million, and that's second place. I'm not denying what Taylor Swift does, she's an entertainer. She gets paid to play music and sing. I'm sure it's her dream job, and all the power to her. Even if she only got paid $1 for every album sold, she'd be doing pretty damn good. If she only got 50cents for each ticket sold to her concerts, she'd be alright financially. Again, I'm not saying anything bad about her. She has a skill and has marketed it to her advantage. $45 million?
Yes, we may be one of the great nations, one of the last "super powers", but we are really screwed up in our own right.
Good luck to Ms. Swift at her next concert.
Good luck to all the newly unemployed men & women in blue.