AZKC wrote:  
What they don't understand is people who get these benefits receive less in wages. 

Business doesn't 'give' things to employees, they compensate them for work. Your company and my company use paid benefits instead of higher wages to attract the best workers. It is a choice and I would be willing to bet we aren't compensated significantly better than similar companies that don't offer the same kind of benefit package. 


Exactly correct, on all counts.

I'm sure that we will part company on this, AZKC, but the discussion on this thread is a symptom of  a very purposeful strategy of keeping working people fighting with one another while those at the top screw them royally.

I'm sure that you might also disagree with my belief that a large number of these benefits are a result of the efforts of unions over the years.