Joker: Salary disparity an issue in November

The ongoing discussion about government employees is a fascinating. It’s a strange and complex dichotomy between public and sector and city and county jobs.

It raises some uncomfortable questions. Is it fair for a government employee to make significantly more than the average person in North Idaho? City employees make 11.5 percent more than their counterparts in other cities. Is fair that a secretary for the county makes significantly less than the city?

It can be argued that higher salaries are good for the economy because people have more disposable income. People spend what they make.

It can also be argued that the city of Coeur d’Alene is social engineering an upper middle class by paying its department heads $100,000-plus. Is that government’s role?

A huge population in North Idaho make between $10-$15 an hour. Those low wages are extremely challenging for families. These people aren’t on blogs and they’re not running around at chamber events or political rallies. They’re too busy trying to survive.

Politicians love to say, “I am going to run government like a business.” Impossible. Market forces determine employee salaries in the private sector. In government, taxpayer revenue is consistent and you don’t have competitors in government.

I’d like know if Mike Kennedy or Woody McEvers pay their employees significantly more than their competitors? Does Steve Widmyer or Mary Souza pay their employees 11.5 percent more than their competitors?

More below. Is it possible to run government like a business. If so, should it be?

I am convinced the average citizen is not favorable to looking up and seeing their tax dollars financing $100,000 salaries when they make a median income of about $30,000. It’s going to be a major factor in the election – along with McEuen. The city doesn’t get this disparity between the real world and government la la land. It will be very interesting to see if the voters do in November.