[quote=meadandale]
There is no justification for salaries AS HIGH or higher than the private sector IN CONJUNCTION WITH gold plated retirement benefits.

I mean, come on, retiring at 50 with 100% of your highest salary FOR LIFE?[/quote]

If you believe that, why are you still employed in the private sector?

Senior programmers often make 100-120K in San Diego, to 150K in Silicon Valley. An equivalent state job for a guy with similar experience would pay 60-75K. People ONLY take those public sector jobs because of benefits. Because public sector salaries suck.