Perhaps we should take into consideration the type of education required for the aforementioned positions. I know I was required to have a bachelor's degree, a teaching certificate, and if I wanted to make ends meet as a teacher, a master's degree. I'm pretty certain the person holding up the sign on I-95 isn't paying off college tuition with his salary. I think a 7% raise is exactly what is needed to keep good teachers from finiding work elsewhere. Lastly, where do you think those felons start out before they get to prison?