Why punish city workers?

Re “Mayor’s tightrope: Cut wages of allies,” April 14

Although I agree with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s attempt to ask all city employees to contribute so that widespread layoffs won’t happen, I can’t help but notice that this is essentially a tax on the middle class, while those who caused the economic mess -- the irresponsible rich -- get off scot-free.

Cops, firefighters and teachers didn’t cause this economic meltdown, but they, and the citizens whose services will be cut, are paying the price.

Unless the mayor and other local officials across the state and the country point out that we are placing a disproportionate burden on the middle class, it will continue to happen. Villaraigosa will be blamed by the poor and the middle class for making them clean up a mess they didn’t create.

For now, he only has control over and responsibility for Los Angeles, so I agree with his short-term solution. But Villaraigosa must also use his bully pulpit to make Sacramento and Washington recognize that their irresponsible tax cuts are having huge local impacts.

John Gallogly

Los Angeles

Ever since I was a kid seeing those big yellow trucks driving around, I wanted to be a city worker. As a waste- water collections worker, I’m living my dream, and I’m proud to help protect the environment. But I’ve also got a wife and three kids, so I take issue with the idea that the best thing I can do for the city is to give up pay or cut back my work. City workers are in it for the long haul -- not just the next tough budget year or the next four-year term.

That’s why we’ve been collecting ideas to help Los Angeles run more efficiently, not just cheaper. We’re taking a stand for smarter government, and we expect the mayor and others will join with us.

Simboa Wright

Los Angeles