Let's Sue the Recession

The Washington Federation of State Employees, the largest union working for public workers in this state, is suing Washington state government (that's all of us, by the way) to stop the planned furloughs of its members. I guess that is the role of unions in this new world.

Oh, the claim uses all the right words – equal application, constitutional issues, and transparency. But underneath it is a union that is not a partner in providing services to Washington citizens, but rather an adversary that wants to ignore the present financial situation. It is one more example that the folks who live and work in Olyopolis are insulated or oblivious to the state and national financial situation. Reports of unemployment, reduced salaries, lost homes and slashed benefits for all the real workers in this country have bounced off the shields of reality that surround this taxpayer-supported village.

We here at Washington State Wire, more than anyone, would like for our state economy to perk up. It would be nice to get everyone back to work, and get those tax proceeds flushing back into Olympia. But how do we do it?

Well, we suggest that all unions representing state employees sue the recession. (How many unions are there now? Someone call the governor's office and ask.)  Our preliminary research discloses an opportunity for a claim for damages in the billions. We also think an immediate restraining order on this pesky downturn would allow us to further evaluate our litigious options.

We knew there was a way to make this Great Recession go away without borrowing more money from China. I think we are on to something here. Considering the impact on people's lives, we might ask for expedited review by the court.