Remember two years ago, when we were collecting signatures to put the promised
"temporary" income tax rollback on the ballot, how we were viciously opposed by
the Massachusetts Teachers Association and its wholely-owned subsidiary, the so-called Tax
Equity Alliance of Massachusetts (TEAM)?
Remember how they claimed that the state "couldn't afford" to cut taxes
as promised without "hurting education" -- even though education reform is
sucking up hundreds of millions more of our tax dollars than ever before and growing every
year?
Recall how the teachers union spent over two million dollars of its members' dues
to tie us up in court for months, how it dragged in elderly signers and all the city and
town clerks, all to prevent voters from having a say on their decade-old
"temporary" tax overpayment?
Well folks, it's payback time for the teachers union, and boy do they ever have
their hands out, reaching into our pockets!
Of course, they're only to happy to tell us that they're only doing it "for
the children"!
Right. The only children they've ever truly cared about is the children of their
own parents: Themselves.
If you haven't done your part in our petition drive, I sure hope the following
editorial motivates you to save yourself. If it doesn't ... I very much doubt anything
can, and wonder why you've bothered to be on this list!
If you haven't gotten your petition package yet, you've only got 38 days left
before the absolute deadline! Click below while you still have time to save yourself from
rapacious greed and limitless self-interest!
 |
Chip Ford |
PS. Thanks to those of you who are more than pulling your own weight getting
signatures already!
Get your petition package -- while
there is still time!
The Lawrence Eagle-Tribune
Wednesday, October 6, 1999
Teachers are asking too much
THE ISSUE
Massachusetts teachers want to be able to retire after 25 years at 80 percent pay.
OUR VIEW
Taxpayers should not be asked to foot this exorbitant bill.
Are you tired of working for a living?
Feeling burned out and frustrated at your job?
Imagine being able to quit your job in your 50s while each week still taking home
80 percent of what you earned while working.
You could start a second career or a business with the security of knowing that
paycheck will be there every week. And if you're successful at that second career, think
of the money that would be rolling in -- two weekly paychecks for the effort of one job.
Or maybe you just don't want to work anymore at all. You could stay home, putter
in the garden, play golf or travel, all while earning just about as much as you did for
working.
And best of all, you would still be young enough to enjoy your good fortune.
Does this sound too good to be true?
Does it sound like a come-on for a get-rich-quick home study course?
Or a golden parachute available only to corporate kingpins?
It's not.
It's the retirement package Massachusetts teachers are expecting when the overdue
state budget is finally passed.
Yes, and it's all paid for by the taxpayers.
You remember the taxpayers -- they're the suckers who will have to keep working
until they're 70 to pay for all this.
The Legislature has already passed the plan that will give teachers with 25 years
or more of experience the ability to retire at 80 percent of the average of their highest
three years of pay. If and when a budget is finally passed, Gov. A. Paul Cellucci has
promised to veto the retirement package, as well he should. Teacher pensions now are based
on age and length of service and can reach 80 percent for those who retire in their 60s
with decades of service.
The budget delay and veto threat have teachers and their union leaders up in arms.
It's all for the benefit of the children, you see. An unhappy, burned-out teacher is an
ineffective teacher. Why not let them retire and make way for younger blood, they say.
Fine, but not at 80 percent pay. That's a deal beyond the dreams of most workers
in the private sector, where unhappy burn-outs are routinely fired, not rewarded.
Unhappy, ineffective teachers are free to retire any time they choose.
Just don't ask the taxpayers to foot the bill.
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this
material is distributed without profit or payment to those who have expressed a prior
interest in receiving this information for non-profit research and educational purposes
only. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml
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