John Dillon on the pension deal.

As pre-teens, my brother and I used to fantasize and argue at night from our beds about illogical differences. For example, I held that the French Foreign Legion was a better choice than my brother’s favorite: British Commandos. The two bills remind me of one of our quickly settled arguments: how would you prefer to die – by sword or gun?

…If you are wondering about the “choice” bill when first brought up, Bayer was quick to dismiss it, and he earned the wrath of Cullerton for quite some time, probably still. Not only did Stevens, AFSCME’s lawyer describe the coerciveness of the choice but Mr. Bayer also reminded Cullerton that the state – unlike a business – is a taxing authority and should dimly raise the revenue through taxation. After all, he had a point – get the taxes now that you didn’t tax for years while you stole our money. The simplicity and honesty outraged Madigan as well – who hates all things simple and honest.

Now, it appears, the unions are willing to jump on when presented with a scary alternative – better the gun than the knife, as my bro would say.

It doesn’t take much of a history of watching Springfield to predict that this session is not the end of the book – only the end of another chapter. If they were to pass the union-backed choice plan, would anyone be so naive as to think they won’t be back for more a bit later? Only the unions, who have already capitulated?

Martire has warned that the numbers do not and cannot make up the defect no matter how draconian the bill, even Biss’ Beast. They’ll be back. Cullerton’s Creation can’t achieve half of the Madigan/Nekritz alternative, but certainly works to move unions away from a legal battle. Even in its nebulous outline, the possible bill sounds and feels like a better deal to the IEA, IFT, etc. The conjecture in outline that the collective bargaining may be lost as well – at least for the benefit changes and increased contributions would make any active seriously nervous. That’s no freeze, my friend. That’s forever. And I do not yet see any language in the outlines that freeze the state’s ability to return for more. And they will; that’s forever too.

So, bro, gun or sword – the next question is where.

John Dillon