PEP, September 2011: Letters to the Editor

Public Employee Press

Letters to the Editor

Yes to rally, no to mayor

It's been depressing for city employees, with Mayor Bloomberg's war against our pay, our pensions, and even our jobs.

But DC 37's HUGE City Hall rally that Lillian Roberts led on June14 really lifted up my spirits. I was proud to be part of it.

The attacks on hard-working public employees by Bloomberg and Gov. Cuomo show that they are just masquerading in liberal coats while they try to appeal to big business and the anti-government tea baggers by scapegoating us.

This is a strategy that will turn around and bite them on the buttocks.

—Sarah Green
Local 1549

Financial planning day in October is free

As a member of Local 1930, I would like to invite my DC 37 brothers and sister to the free Financial Planning Day, a day-long event sponsored by the New York Public Library and the Financial Planning Association of New York on Oct. 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Science Industry and Business Library at 188 Madison Avenue at 34th Street.

In these difficult economic times, almost all of us have questions and concerns about our money. We wonder about our savings, investments, and retirement. We're worried about debt, planning for our children, and caring for elderly loved ones. As one of the organizers of the event, I think it will be an excellent opportunity for union members, and all working people, to learn to better handle our money, to make better decisions, and to take charge of our financial future.

The day will include classes on topics such as planning for retirement, investing, Medicare, Social Security, and more. Many organizations will have representatives on hand to offer information and answer questions. Some of these are: the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the New York City Office of Financial Empowerment, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Social Security Administration.

Best of all, attendees will be able to make appointments for free, private, and confidential half-hour counseling sessions with Certified Financial Planner2, who will answer your personal money-related questions.

—Weiben Wang
Librarian, Local 1930

Bush caused problems

Republicans are trying hard to put the ceiling on the federal debt. They are perhaps forgetting the fact that they have created the problems that our Democratic president has been facing since the day he was elected. The previous president, Bill Clinton, left a $6.3 trillion surplus, but President Bush wiped it out by giving tax breaks to his rich friends. This nation will continue to suffer for decades because of the problems he created, including two wars.

We are spending trillions of dollars every year on the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and on the injured soldiers, widowers, and orphans these wars have created.

—Chandur D. Malkani
Retiree, Local 1549