Not enough people care to solve pension crisis

There is a lot of talk going around concerning a cure for the financial problems of the once-great state of Illinois. Almost all of it concerns more revenue. The governor's tax plan is all about wringing a few more dollars from the taxpayer. He is also pushing the legalization of marijuana for the purpose of increasing the state's revenue. Others have chimed in with brilliant ideas of other things to tax. It's a long list and unless you've been in hibernation, you've heard them all.

It's pathetic that none of them addresses the waste allowed by our leaders. Our bloated pension system is not the only spending problem that needs fixed, but there is little doubt that it is the biggest. We still have one man drawing a lifetime pension because he was a substitute teacher for one day. Politicians allowed it even though it was made public before it even happened.

Just recently the courts upheld it even though by any measure, it is wrong. There's no telling how many more there are that we don't know about.

It's time politicians concentrate a little more on their spending habits and a little less on how much more they can make us bleed. All of us could help by paying a little more attention. Unfortunately our voter turnout says that not enough people really care.

Ron Flowers

Elk Grove Village