MOVILLE, Iowa -- Des Moines Register research shows average annual state employee costs for salaries and benefits (excluding university employees) are near $71,000. That would work if they produced something of value equal to or greater than that amount. But as it is, Iowa state employees are poised to go the way the auto workers at General Motors did.

I know the public union's argument: If they were working in private industry, blah blah, they would receive, blah blah, even higher salaries and benefits, blah blah.

Really?

Then there is IPERS, the state employees' defined benifit pension program that leaves the taxpayer on the hook for investment declines. At current count that could reach $3 billion.

To the contrary, private employee retirement plans are largely defined contribution plans with no liability for market shortfalls.

With state employee interests running the political interests in Iowa, I question "Who is Working for Who?"

The solution? Elect representatives who will eliminate and privatize as many state services as possible.

State employees do not earn or deserve a better standard of living than those that support them through taxes. -- Henry Wood