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Keep it up, fellow Democrats, and see where we wind up

Isaac136 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:40:19 -0400

Gee, "merit," I think you might want to reconsider your own little mini-rant there. I don't think the matter of taxpayer waste is "ridiculous," nor are objections about special treatment given to politicians' friends or loved ones out of line.

As a Democrat, I'm disgusted by the example Mike Easley has set for arrogance and abuse of office. He has treated state employees with contempt while setting a terrible example, as the #1 state employee, for how to run state government.

He botched the state's effort at mental health reform, was "creative" in his explanations of the position taken by his office on the measures in question, fired a longtime, effective, hardworking employee for sheer spite, and has had his staff delete inconvenient emails on that and any other matters he didn't want the press to see.

As one who does not relish the prospect of a GOP takeover, I can't say I have much enthusiasm for Beverly "more of the same" Perdue -- especially given the good old boy culture that put her where she is. The gal has been primed and polished by Marc Basnight, David Hoyle and Tony Rand, who recently thumbed his nose at all of us by closing the door to an important budget meeting. Perdue's participation in the "business as usual" mode their leadership stands for is a big red flag.

There is good reason Richard Moore can't bring himself to endorse her, which is less about his loss in the primary than it is what we stand to lose if we keep electing the kind of politician whose indulgence in or toleration for unethical practices is an open secret.

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

smithfieldsam — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:57:33 -0400

If you want a direct explanation on this matter, the phone number for NC State University Provost Larry Nielson is 919-515-2195 and his email address is: larry_nielsen@ncsu.edu

Was the job originally posted when she was hired? Who else applied?

Or, ask Mary Easley about the raise. Her email is: m.easley@ncsu.edu

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

merit — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:46:08 -0400

Go back to school, get a better degree or do something else. Why aren't you worth as much as Ms. Easley? Only you know that but criticizing her and getting up in arms about tax payer waste is ridiculous. Ever seen how much some state univeristy coaches are paid?
Sorry folks, you all sound like a bunch whiny children who just found out life ain't fair.
Deal with it.

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

franwilson — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:18:49 -0400

i am a poor state employee hoping to get a raise so i can pay for gas to get here to work. now it looks like we might get $1100 .at the present gas prices that wont even be two tanks of gas.a month, i would like for the easleys to try to live on less than $30000 a year . we work hard for our money we might not have the degrees that she does but we have enough common sense to not pay $60.for a cheeseburger,

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

FFC1304 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:50:39 -0400

I dont understand why there's not a REVOLT of state employees...too many scared, complacent lily livered fat folks too scared they'd have to get a real job! STATE EMPLOYEES UNITE and REVOLT!!!

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

FFC1304 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:36:44 -0400

(wrong number for Nielson?)

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

smithfieldsam — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:19:35 -0400

If you want a direct explanation on this matter, the phone number for NC State University Provost Larry Nielson is 919-515-2192 and his email address is: larry_nielsen@ncsu.edu

Or, ask Mary Easley about the raise. Her email is: m.easley@ncsu.edu

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

eruptunc — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:47:02 -0400

Um, I'm a junior associate at a law firm in New York (though originally from Chapel Hill) and while I do make (as a second year) more per year than Mary Easley, it's an ill-fitting comparison because:

1. I am absolutely positive junior associates at most law firms (myself included) drawing those salaries work many more hours than she does);

2. Those large salaries are only for junior associates in very big markets (New York, LA, DC, maybe Chicago); no junior associate in Raleigh makes that much;

AND

3. It's not the state paying me! Tax money doesn't pay for my salary.

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

ToddSm — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:45:40 -0400

I am a state employee whose work has been " expanded" also. When they recruited me I was told I'd have 8 patients, which quickly changed to 16 and now stands at 25. My office went from just me to me and 6 others to me and 20 others , now I have a 12 inch by 12 inch mail box only despite the expanded responsibilities. And they eliminated their contribution to my retirement so its completely self funded. Meanwhile my salary hasnt gone up that much in 12 years just to keep pace with inflation- maybe. A 79,000 dollar raise in one day PLEASE just a crooked going away present to the royal family

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

FFC1304 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:24:30 -0400

Contact Provost Neilson at NCSU with YOUR OUTRAGE! The lady answering the phone was quite pleased to take names and numbers, as she approved the OUTRAGE when I called! She is HAPPY to record your discontent as HER possible 1.7% raise is still in QUESTION!!!

THESE PEOPLE ARE FILTHY CROOKS! BE GONE SLEAZELYs!!!

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

merit — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:17:11 -0400

Fascinating how the republicans jump all over this but if the Easley's had a little (R) behind their name instead of the (D), this would be nothing more than a "liberal media witch hunt."

I love when republicans site the NY Times and The Washington Post, etc when it's something agree with but when it's not - the whining, crying begins that it's the "liberal media" attacking us again.

WAH!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

j1c2kp — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:16:53 -0400

I'm sure Senator Julia Boseman is glad to find the focus taken off of her and redirected toward the First family.

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

fredwomble — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:16:06 -0400

Jr associates do indeed bank six figures and Mrs. Easley apparently does have an impressive resume. However, the problem is pretty obvious. She only has her current position because she's the governor's wife. And now her salary almost doubles? It's clear to see this is much like Michelle Obama's salary doubling when her husband was elected to the senate. At least that hospital in Chicago bought influence as Obama's career was ascending. To double Mrs. Easley on the back end of Tax Hike Mike's term, and on the heels of very questionable vacations (call the trips what they were), shows the Easleys to be crooked and completely out of touch with what real people are facing in the current economy. They are belly up at the public trough.

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

db431703 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:52:47 -0400

Yeah, ericlmd, I cannot imagine what the poor easleys have done to merit the attention of journalists. The mental health wizardry, the tremendous respect for openness in government, the magnanimous contributions to the economies of struggling European countries. I guess, given that huge jump in her duties, we ought to factor telecommuting into the cost of her art junket. I'm sure Mikey will step to the podium soon to explain that it costs what it costs. Just like the people who think you ought not to go to church somewhere where you don't believe everything that comes down from the pulpit, there are some people who just will never understand that democracy involves questioning those who purport to run the govvernment. But it does.

Re: Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

clarkthain — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:21:35 -0400

This crowd is beyond belief! From Obama's low-interest home loan to Queen Mary's latest insult to the intelligence of every North Carolinian.

Maybe, Craig Wittig should have taken Queen Mary with him! Wittig was fired by Wake County and may face CRIMINAL charges for his trips at taxpayer expense - should we expect any less from Lady(?) Easley. Wittig took tax-paid vacations (including whale-watching cruise and 4 Disney World trips-including his entourage-and only managed to spend $161,233.

Like Mrs. Easley he claims his travels were legitimate business trips since his job duties included directing an anti-littering campaign and planning a proposed environmental education center. It seems local Wake County crooks get a better return on their money than their freinds at the Governor's Mansion!

Where's the Beef?? - If the un-elected Queen Mary (or Hillary II) and His Execellency ate $60 dollar cheeseburgers in Europe, let's see the tab! I bet not!