[gerbilly]

>I think most software engineers don't realize how good public servants have it.

Maybe we should work towards all having it as good as the public servants do.

I'm not trying to foment, but I see this meme all the time: if some other sector of society has it better, then they must be brought down to our level because 'austerity' or something.

Meanwhile I don't see CEO pay being lowered due to austerity or banks making any less profit...

[throwaway1979]

You are correct in principal ... we should all have it better. However, now that I'm a bit older, I ask questions about productivity and such. If we are earning more than we are actually producing, someone is paying the bills. It is either someone else (which is not fair), or coming from the pockets of our children (incredibly not fair). I think the previous generation screwed us badly. It is our responsibility to not pass it on. But you are definitely right about issues like CEO pay being unfair and beyond any true productivity.