County Employees Fall Apart at an Early Age
Re “County Pensions Examined for Abuse,” Dec. 14: It is hard to believe that nearly three-quarters of Los Angeles County firefighters and lifeguards are disabled, considering that they were in superior physical and mental condition when they were hired. Most only have to work until they are in their early 50s, an age the average person is still in good health.
A person who retires on Social Security has to work about 45 years, usually with less favorable working conditions than the above county employees. Private employees have long commutes, job insecurity, lower wages and benefits and, if they have to go on disability, they live near the poverty level. I know several people who are in this condition.
It’s too bad that private employees cannot tap the taxpayers’ till like the public employees are doing.
Jerry Basura
Arcadia
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