text: "And just out of curiosity, are you big into conspiracy theories?" 
  
  Just the conspiracy of public sector unions vs. taxpayers. Don't kid yourself.  The prime budget buster has been outlandish wage and benefits packages of public employees. Alaska has the highest per capita public sector pension shortfall in the U.S. Wages & bennies untouchable --even during economic slowdowns. Public-employee unions have so successfully used their political muscle that whereas public-sector compensation once lagged the private sector, now the reverse is true. The average state and local government employee now collects 46 percent more in total compensation (salary plus benefits) than the average private-sector employee (even more in Alaska) Ref: Employee Benefit Research Institute.   
  
  It will NEVER be enough.  Look at union sponsored ads to toss Cathy Giessel and elect Beltrami  -- fox in charge of the hen house.  Public sector unions should be outlawed.  Contract APD records section out post haste.