cbc812 wrote:^ #26
I think this is a great idea, although it is probably difficult to implement in practice.
Here in New York, the state and city budget woes have resulted in less cops and sanitation workers being hired and the MTA cutting cleaning crews and station agents while jacking fares up. Even maintenance workers and "rangers" in Central Park are being reduced in number, either through active cuts or attrition.
So, you want a check from the gov't? Great - you get to clean subway cars, sell Metrocards, do filing or other gruntwork at the local precinct, etc. If you don't want to do that, then you don't get a check and the savings can be used to hire more MTA agents, NYPD staff, etc. etc.
I know NYC is very different from most of the rest of the country. But why shouldn't we get some value for our $$ here, especially when economic conditions are forcing cuts in services that directly impact the quality of life of those of us not sucking off of the government teat?
My $0.02.
In this regard, it isn't very different from the rest of the country.
What's infuriating, however, is that your average city worker - the grunts - get paid very little. Make it into management, and the money you take in can be obscene. So, there are less lower-paid indians, and a disproportinate number of highly-paid chiefs in the tribe.
However, I digress...