Comments about ‘Retirement at stake — Thousands rally at Capitol in opposition to benefit cuts’

It is interesting that these legislators do not lead by example. They want to cut retirement, pay and benefits for public employees, but don't consider it for themselves. Everyone should check into the health and retirement benefits they get, even if they only serve one term.

Utahns should be concerned that Utah will not be able to attract and retain the best teachers if we continue to cut teacher compensation. Research shows a quality teacher can be the most important element in a child’s education, yet too many good Utah teachers are leaving the profession after just five years, primarily due to inadequate compensation. The proposals being considered would further reduce teacher compensation by cutting retirement benefits.

And you can expect a lot more cuts for the public and it's emplyees. Herbie baby and hid repulican cronnies are just getting started. There is a way to stop him/them.DON'T VOTE FOR THEM !!!!!!!!!

Neal A. Maxwell said, “If we are not able to build into ourselves and our families the brakes of self-restraint and self-discipline, we are apt, unwittingly, to create tyranny in our government and anarchy in our citizenry. If we push onto the government the management not only of our economy, but also the management of our morals, the civil servants of the future will be neither civil nor servants.”

I like the expression they will not be competive with other public sectors.

How about the private sector?

Public employees have it good compared to the rest of us.

I don't get to lobby the legislature to have the taxpayers pay for the losses in my 401k.

I don't get to lobby the legislature to have the taxpayers foot the bill for my health insurance increases.

I don't get to lobby the legislature to cry for cost of living increases which I don't get.

I am so sick and tired of public employee whiners. They need to WAKE UP and realize that everyone else is suffering. They have been sheltered like no other group in the state. If they don't like how they are paid they should go get a different job. Let's see just how much they are really worth.

This is a tough sell in a world where many are unemployed, and those with jobs have no pension and pay through the nose for less health coverage. And the list of paid holidays looks pretty good by comparison.
You're not exactly keeping a low profile during this time of anti-government feelings. Let's hope your organizers know what they're doing.

The speed of this massive cut in retirement benefits is essential. Otherwise, the public will see what a devastating impact it will have on public education.

The original retirement plan from the early 60's was a great plan... employee's had to contribute. Then Gov. Bangerter and his republican cronies decided the state would take control and pay into the system for the employee's in lieu of a pay raise that year.

The system has been doomed since that took place...I'm glad i left Utah government and embarked on a career in the federal government... I'm retired now and i love my pension plan... I smile every month on payday.

I agree with the legislator who is presenting this legislation. Even if my job offered a retirement package (which they don't) do you think they would allow me to retire, go to another department in the same company, collect my retirement and give me a pay check? Come on...this is common sense folks....

Here is ignorance at its best:

I don't get to lobby the legislature to have the taxpayers pay for the losses in my 401k.

I don't get to lobby the legislature to have the taxpayers foot the bill for my health insurance increases.

I don't get to lobby the legislature to cry for cost of living increases which I don't get."

That was the most moronic post I have ever read.

Get educated.

The sky is always falling with public employees and the Unions Bosses that get them all lathered up.

Hundreds of people are lining up for their jobs in this economy, and they have the audacity to complain about minor changes to their benefits.

Do they not realize that EVERYBODY lost their 401k matches? Do they not realize that their pension losses are guaranteed by everyone else, and they STILL COMPLAIN? Unbelievable!

Please tell me how Public Whiners can "get educated".

Are you saying that he CAN go up the the legislature and have them (a) pay for the losses in his 401(k), (b) pay for the increases in his health insurance increases, and (c) pay for cost of living increases?

Are you a public employee that has figured this out? That sounds like a sweet deal.

Please tell us how to do that - also, tell us who pays for it.

Due to the ecomony my job was eliminated. I will gladly take the job of any public employee and do a better job for 1/2 the salary. I promise not to demonstrate at the capital and I will not complain. I will be happy to have a secure job .
I other words, stop complaining public employees. There are many who will do your job and be happy with what they get.

Union thugs and government thieves. Get a real job that adds to the economy. Don't leach and suck the sweat and wallets from the private sector.

1. Why are the legislators, lawyers, accountants, and developers who presumably have full-time jobs still recieving heath benefits and retirements from the taxpayers, I believe the popular phrase is double dipping. And Interestingly enough their retirement is not included in this current proposal.
2. If as a public service employee I choose to retire and go to a different department because I have the experience, education and ability to improve their operations, why should I be penalized. Would you rather I go to McDonalds or Wal Mart. I chose my profession and have worked very hard and spent a lot of money to prepare for a possible second career. Now I will have to take my experience,education and tax dollars and move out of state.
3. As a public employee my pension is funded by the taxpayers. That includes me. Other than the personal contributions I make to my 401k, I pay no more, and no less than anyone else. So please spare me the feeding at the public trough argument. Certainly there are areas to tweak, but a little bit of caution will prevent years or decades of unintended consequences.

I agree with public employees that the legislature should "proceed with caution." That said, the legislature should proceed. The pension system needs reform.

Pensions sunk GM and Chrysler. Pensions sunk United Airlines. Pensions are sinking California. Social Security is sinking the Federal Government.

Defined Benefit pensions are dinosaurs of industry. It is time for Utah to move forward and change the system.

for PUBLIC EMPLOYEES while the rest of us fend for ourselves. This is not a whiner response, but reality. I'm tired of the so called public employees always crying about not getting enough benefits and compensation, while the eauntreprener goes out their with boldness and faith that he will be able to provide health coverage and retirement for his family. So, give it a rest. I'm weary of your entitlement mentality.

So here's what I read from most of you. Be glad I have a job and I am stupid for not putting every penny away for retirement and trusting the benefits promised to me when I was hired will actually be there. I should just suck it up, take my crappy salary and now crappy benefits and smile about it. Is that what I am reading?

How many of you whiners against public employees have ever worked in government?. Many are very low salaried and over the years the legislative have slowly chipped away at the benefits at the same time making sure they are set for life. Overall most state employees are not double dippers mostly those at the top level positions that also have political friends. There have been many years when state employees did not received a COLA (cost of living) and trudged onward to make sure the services of state tax payers was being kept up. Quit whining about the employees and start looking at how the legislature takes care of itself first and foremost