Basic decency doesn't allow this

Basic decency doesn't allow this

Lawyers for the state argued that Illinois can invoke "police powers" to cut pension benefits to state employees in case of an emergency. Justice Robert Thomas questioned that premise saying that if their argument is true, then, that will give the state the power, "to modify its contractual obligations whenever it wants."

I believe that Justice Thomas asked the correct question. Certainly, the state cannot have the power to do what it wants. However, in my opinion, Illinois' solicitor general, Carolyn Shapiro, has better arguments at her disposal. State employee unions, who are parties in this case, achieve favorable terms in their contracts by means of duress. Duress nullifies contracts. Unions gain their contracts by means of duress. That is what they do. They threaten, they intimidate and they bully. They not only bully employers but also their own members. They bully employees into joining their ranks.

Perhaps, such conduct is warranted in the private sector, where employers have deep pockets and selfishly exploit employees to maximize profits. But, state institutions, such as schools, do not exist to make profit. They are wonderful, charitable and altruistic institutions who have only the best interests of the public in their hearts. Intimidating and bullying state officials into signing contracts amounts to intimidating and bullying the people of Illinois. Such behavior reverses the proper relationship between the citizens and the state. That is, the unions become a dictatorship and the citizens become the employees and servants. The Constitution and basic decency do not allow this.

George Kocan

Warrenville