Teacher pensions should be capped

The Daily Herald should be commended for their April 25 article pertaining to how the egregious and unreasonable are pensions the state of Illinois is paying retired education personnel.

These pensions are totally unreasonable and probative evidence of the greed that is destroying our great nation. There should be a maximum cap of $54,000/year on pensions paid by taxpayers.

If recipients cannot live on $4,500/month, then they should go somewhere and learn how.

The schools have been steamrollering taxpayers for years with their perpetual hands in our pockets. For those of us who have never had children, and those whose children were not in public schools, it is so blatantly unjust that the schools are literally stealing our money.

Just last week, the Daily Herald had a picture of a busload of wallowers in greed going to Springfield to ask state legislators to increase the state income tax.

The state income tax should not be increased. While it is too bad that teachers are being and going to be laid off as it is with anyone, they brought it on themselves with their greed and unrealistic pension demands.

Illinois Taxpayers need to tell the greedy that their pensions are being reduced. And, if they want to litigate, then Illinois will file bankruptcy.

Then the greedy will only get what the bankruptcy court gives them. Any future pension increases should be given only with taxpayer approval.

The gravy train has reached the station, and it is time for the greedy to get off. Illinois taxpayers cannot afford them and will not tolerate manipulation of system that allowed them to rape and steamroller over the taxpayers.

In case anyone has not noticed, and with wages and pensions being held down, taxpayers cannot afford any tax increases.

Bob Skarda

Schaumburg