Pension reform

Re “Private-Sector Anger Builds as Public Pension Costs Rise,” Oct. 2

I spend a lot of time fighting this incredible government giveaway to what has become the new aristocracy -- public employees.

One important point that needs clarification -- the reforms being suggested are tepid and insufficient. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others have proposed that new government workers get a 401(k) type of plan. No one has seriously proposed cutting the existing or retired employees’ pensions. Yet even this weak reform was rejected by California’s union-controlled politicians. This is the reason that state and local governments are short of funds.

RICHARD RIDER

Chairman, San Diego Tax Fighters

San Diego