As you listen to representatives for the striking Chicago teachers whine about how unfairly they are being treated, consider these numbers from Fox Business Channel’s Varney & Company:

Chicago teachers have the highest average salary of any city at $76,000 a year before benefits.
The average family in the city only earns $47,000 a year.
Teachers pay only 3 percent of their health-care costs.
Out of every new dollar set aside for public education in Illinois in the last five years, a full 71 cents has gone to teacher retirement costs.
Just 15 percent of fourth graders are proficient in reading.
In 1987, 43% of incoming Chicago freshmen would drop out of high school without graduating.
2012: Chicago’s freshmen drop-out rate is 39.4%, the lowest it has ever been.
Only about 60% of Chicago high school students graduate compared with national average of 75%.

Source: Chicago Sun Times: 1987 teachers strike is an ugly lesson for Mayor Emanuel; 9/9/12
Source: Reuters: Chicago teachers, school officials resuming talks to avert strike; 9/9/12
Source: Chicago Public Schools System CPS.edu

Yes, that’s right, Chicago serfs. Even if you are lucky enough to have a job, you probably aren’t making $76,000 a year before benefits. Wait…God love ya…what am I talking about? You don’t have any benefits, so why even mention that.