Taxpayer bill for pensions a ‘disgrace’

This letter is in response to an article on the front page of the Nov. 11 issue of The Telegraph: “ Taxpayers to pay more to pension fund.”

I myself was unaware as I’m sure others were, that we as taxpayers are funding current as well as retired state worker pensions. I’m sure I’m not alone in stating that I’m having a difficult enough time funding my own retirement, much less helping state employees fund theirs.

The article says that the amount we generously donate from our state property taxes will increase. But the state property tax itself will not increase.

Who are they trying to kid? The state is taking from Peter to pay Paul. Eventually, Peter is going to want his money back. How do they think they will repay Peter? By raising the state property tax, that’s how.

The article also states the reason for this increase is due to slumping investment returns. The current economic situation is not only affecting the state’s pension fund. It’s affecting everyone.

I guess it’s the taxpayers’ fault that the people running the pension fund aren’t doing a good job and didn’t see this meltdown coming.

Investing in the stock market is nothing more than legalized gambling. If I pick the wrong stock or mutual fund to invest in, I have nobody to help bail me out. The bad choice is my responsibility.

Not to give our elected officials any more brilliant ideas, but what’s next? A new tax to help reimburse the people who got duped by Bernie Madoff?

This is just another example of government putting their greedy hands deeper into our pockets to help themselves out of a bad situation that they themselves created. It’s disgraceful to say the least.

Don Simoneau

Nashua