Politicians shouldn’t control pensions

What if pensions and social programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) pertained to the politicians? Would they be so quick to eliminate or reduce them? I think not.

What if U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk had to pay a deductible amount on their medical care and rehabilitation, would they have been able to afford it?

Again, I think not.

So here’s an idea. Have the politicians join the same programs for retirement and health services that are being proposed for the working people. Then, let’s see what they come up with.

Don’t let politicians control pensions.

I am a retired Teamster with more than 40 years of service paid into the Teamsters’ Central States pension system.

Because of the federal government’s meddling, and takeover in the late-1970s of the Teamsters pension fund’s investments, it is now on the verge of reducing benefits to retirees — similar to what could happen to the pensions of schoolteachers and state employees.

But as a homeowner, if I must bail them out through increased property taxes, why not bail out my pension, too?

L.N. Hill

Palatine