A few of my law enforcement friends on SelfCenteredEgotisticalNarcissistBook, I mean Facebook left status updates saying (I’m paraphrasing): I took a job knowing I’d never get rich, if I were to get a bonus it would lead to an investigation, I’ve worked off hours and missed important family occasions and holidays. I’m expected to lay down my life for this job, my life expectancy is shorter than most because of the stress associated with my job, yet I’m not deserving of a pension or health benefits.
The follow up comments were mostly supportive, but there was one that I found very interesting. It was a smart a$$ comment about how “he forgot to mention that he is off every other week”. A reference to the amount of furlough time he gets as a Chicago Police Officer.
That comment got me to thinking about the growing public dissention over the benefits being received by those serving the community.
I think a good example of the people turning on the public sector is a hundred year old man named Ryan rotting in prison. A lot of people say – “He’s corrupt, he got what he deserved!” But really politicians have been making shady deals since they were wearing robes and urinating publicly in buckets carried around by the “Piss Boy” (that bit history provided by Mr. Mel Brooks). It’s just until recently that the people have decided to put their foot down.
The same holds true for the police. While having a badge does still have some privileges the perks are steadily dwindling.
Gone are the days when a police officer or peace officer can “tune up” an individual whether there is reason or not. Gone are the days when a police officer can get away with killing someone while driving drunk (rightfully so of course, but damn we should still be able to beat up people that deserve a good beat down).
Hell, I even recall a woman complaining about a police officer being parked illegally while he was eating lunch in a restaurant, and that officer being reprimanded. What kind of a world do we live in where a police officer can’t park anydamnwhere he pleases? I’ll tell you what kind – a world where police and other public servant pensions and benefits will be on a more even playing field as those in the private sector. The people’s cries and grumblings are getting louder and soon or later there will be a change.
Like it or not, it’s coming because something has got to give. Look at it this way. Way back when father knew best and mother stayed in the kitchen and just smiled and made pot roast what was the life expectancy? Early 60’s? Pensions were around for the minority that outlived their working years. Now with life expectancy at 80-something, 90-something where are all these added resources supposed to come from? They are not coming from anywhere. The well is running dry. There needs to be a drastic change in the system. What change is needed? I won’t even pretend to know that answer. I do know however that until a permanent answer is found, the answer until then is SAVINGS!!!
Are you investing in a vehicle outside of your employment’s pension program? If not you better have understanding kids – cuz you are moving in with them.
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