Three's are

San Bernardino, CA has just become the third and largest city in California to file for bankruptcy protection while Scranton, PA cut purblic workers' wages back to minimum wage as it is almost out of cash. Like the Nenana Ice Game in Alaska one wonders which city here or accross the country will be next, victims of bloated pensions and generous wages and benefits. Unlike the federal government, the states and cities must balance their budgets and cannot print money. At least there is some recognition that the costs of pensions, far better than any of us in the private sector would receive, must reduced along with wages and benefits---witness the June elections in San Jose and San Diego. As long as the politicians are corrupted by the donations created by mandatory dues, the only solution will be drastic and in a bankruptcy court.

San Bernardino Makes Three

They say the third time is the charm

Finally the public will raise the alarm.

San Bernardino now becomes the third

A victim of public pensions absurd

Three BKs in such a brief time

How many more cities standing in line?

If I were a public union boss

I would be quaking at the thought of complete loss

Of above market pensions and wages

How could they be so immune to growing taxpayer rages

Sadly we elected leaders needing union funds and without spine

Now it's time to face the music or join the BK line

Cut pensions, cut wages, create an efficiency culture

No more mandatory dues to weaken the public union vulture

Or Newport Beach will join the line even with all its yachts

Those egregious contracts and pensions will be for not.

Not worth the paper printed on

When will realization finally dawn?

(c) July 11, 2012 Michael P. Ridley aka the Alaskanpoet