Rely on capitalism, if it lasts

Mr. Lee Freese opines that public employees are not overpaid, private employees are underpaid (Letters, June 12). He asks, “Who says that the private sector should set the standard…?”

Capitalism, our economic system, says so, though it is currently under serious assault by Congress and our president.

It works like this. I start a business. I hire employees by offering a package of wages and benefits that is equal to or greater than other competing businesses. Then, if my product is good, attractively priced, my profits exceed my costs, I make a little money and so do my employees. If not, my business fails.

It works differently for public employees. Their union leaders take some of the workers’ pay and send it to politicians, along with the promise of votes. Politicians then pass laws increasing benefits to the workers, regardless of performance. It’s wonderful for the public employees, who gain undeserved benefits, and for the pols, who get re-elected, but not so good for the rest of us, who pay increased taxes to get increasingly poor service.

Examine Greece’s situation to see how this will turn out for us in a few years.

Hal R. Dixon

Spokane