Taking away the private pensions was the first step. Then they can get all of the private workers to bitch about the “lazy union workers” who still get a pension. Whip up some phony outrage, angry talking heads on TV, etc… Pretty soon the masses are calling for blood and the public workers lose their pensions too. Meanwhile the white shoe boys are laughing all the way to their offshore bank accounts and megayachts.
We are so screwed, it is so obvious how they manipulate everyone but no one seems to notice. The union thing is a perfect example. The teaparty starts out with “No bailouts! No bailouts!” Then a couple of paid plants start screaming “No benefits for lazy public workers! No unions!” Pretty soon the whole herd is going along with it. People are like sheep, all you need is a sheepdog and you can make them go anywhere you want.