The battle for the heart, soul and future of America rages in Madison. This is a small sampling of the wages paid to our “oppressed” public employees. It is not just our battle it is yours, too.

Stand up! DO SOMETHING somewhere, to stop the insanity in this country. I will say; as Wisconsin goes, so goes the Country.

The current budget repair bill would have them paying about 5.8% toward their own retirement. Right now, we the taxpayer, pays 100% of their generous retirement, and most of us pay 100% of our own retirement, too.

AVERAGE WAGE AND BENEFITS (remember this is for about 9 months of work)

TEACHERS:

Milwaukee: $86,297; Elmbrook: $91,065; Germantown: $83,818; Hartland Arrowhead: $90,285 (highest teacher was $122,952, lowest was $64,942); Menomonee Falls: $81,099; West Bend: $82,153; Waukesha: $92,902; Sussex: $82,956; Mequon: $95,297; Kettle Moraine: $87,676: Muskego: $91,341.

STAFF:

Hartland Arrowhead: Business Manager Kopecky: $169,525; Principal Wieczorek: $152,519.

Germantown: Assistant Principal Dave Towers: $123,222.

Elmbrook: Burleigh Elementary Principal Zahn: $142,315 (for a primary school!!)

Madison: Assistant Principal McGrath: $127,835.

UNIVERSITY of WISCONSIN STAFF (2009) (salary alone):

Michael Knetter, Professor of Business: $327,828; Carolyn Martin, Chancellor: $437,000; Hector Deluca, Professor of Nutritional Science: $254,877 (really??).

Source: Madison.com (as the UW removed salaries from being posted online in 2007. Why if they are so low?)

How about some other "public servant jobs?" What do they make?

Madison Garbage men (2009) (salary only):

Garbageman Mr. Nelson: $159,258 in 2009, including $109,892 in overtime and other pay; Garbageman Greg Tatman: $125,598. Seven Madison garbage men made over $100,000 and 30 Madison garbage men made over $70,000.

MILWAUKEE CITY BUS DRIVERS (salary only):

136 Drivers made more than $70,000; 54 Drivers made more than $80,000; 18 Drivers made more than $90,000; 8 Drivers made more than $100,000; Top Driver made $117,000. Source: WTMJ

(The average private bus driver makes $9-13 an hour – about $20,000/year – with no pension, or healthcare.)

And we are supposed to continue paying 100% of their generous retirement? They have shut down schools as they don't want to pay 5.8% of it themselves. Really?