As a retired Lockheed-Martin engineer. I am agast at the lucrative pensions of NYS teachers and government workers ... and their increases at the mercy of my fixed pension. It makes me sick to see this kind of fiscial irresponsibility on a romp in the state I at first loved and now am begining to despise asnd now are considering to move from to protect my dwindling lifestyle. NYS needs to freeze the taxes paid by retired non-state/teacher people. Otherwise we (that class of retirees) are at the total mercy of union contracts (benefits and pensions) and the mandated (I'm sick of) increases.

YOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THE CIVIL SERVICE EXAMS OFFERED INT THE VARIUOS JURISTICTIONS WITHIN THE STATE OF NY OR SHOULD HAVE APPLIED FOR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS THAT ARE OFFERED. IT IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT TO RECIEVE A GOVERNMENT PENSION EITHER WITHIN NYC NYS OR OTHER JURISTICTIONS FUTHERMORE THE HEALTH PROTECTION AND GUARANTEED HEALTH BENIFITS. I HAVE BEEN RETIRED FOR THREE YRS AND BOUGHT BACK MY MILITARY TIME AND WAS OUT THE DOOR AT 39. TO THE WHINING INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE I PRAY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT TO RISE. I WILL STILL COLLECT MY PENSION EVERY MONTH AND MY VARIABLE SUPPLEMENT CHECK IN DECEMBER OF EVERY YEAR TILL I DIE. :

YALCIN -- You're obviously a lazy government worker, Try getting a job in the real world and let's see how long you last. And, What do the teachers raises and pension have to do with the children succeeding? In simplistic terms, jenrock, and I mean, simplistic, teacehrs raises, time off, paid health care and other fringes should have nothing to do with children achieving academic success. Now, I gather from your post, that if the teachers do not get what they want, they will lower their teaching standards or, even more appetizing, will they quit! Hahaha, I would hope so, because for every tenured teacher their is one waiting in line for a job!

I MUST BE A LAZY PERSON. I SERVED MY COUNTRY IN THE ARMED FORCES DURING THE GULF WAR . I MUST BE LAZY AND FEEL GUILTY THAT I WAS ABLE TO GET A CIVIL SERVICE JOB WITH A 20YR AND OUT PENSION. IT MUST BE CONSIDERED A CRIME TO WORK IN CIVIL SERVICE. IT MUST BE A CRIME TO BUY BACK THREE YRS OF MILITARY SERVICE AND BE RETIRED AT 39. OH BY THE WAY I AM EARNING 78K A YR ON MY CIVIL SERVICE PENSION, AND AS FOR MY REAL JOB IN THE REAL WORLD THAT I AM WORKING IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR I'M EARNING ANOTHER 70K WITH FRINGE BENNIES. PUBLIC SERVANTS DESERVE WHAT THEY GET. THEY WORK HARD FOR WHAT THEY DO. STOP WHINNING PLEASE. OH BY THE WAY ILL BE INTERVIEWING FOR A FEDERAL POSITION SOON THAT WILL EARN ME A SECOND PENSION AT 57 HOW ABOUT THAT FOR A KICKER. TO PEOPLE LIKE YOUR SELF I WILL BE COMMITTING AN ULTIMATE SIN. IT MUST BE CONSIDERED A CRIME.