When I was a young man a kind neighbor gave me a beautiful winter wool coat before I left home to go to Germany... he was a fireman.

Some of my fondest memories are lessons from Mrs. Morton, Mrs. Reimann, Mr. Eathorn and Mr. Veers.  They taught me and loved me and help me become who I am...they were my school teachers.

Through fifty years of living, I have experienced years of peace and safety.  The communities where I have lived have been safe to walk in at night... thank goodness for the good police officers - and good people.

Today, I am personal friends with fireman, policeman, teachers and public officers...

And yet - their acts of valor, honor and bravery do not entitle them to take all that I have.  I place high value on their service and am grateful for it... but does that mean I give them the right to bankrupt me... my community or my state?  No. 

When we talk about compensation, retirement and benefits - we're not talking about emotions like gratitude, admiration and compassion.  We're talking about money.  We're answering the question - what can we afford to pay?  Now and in the future...

In the case of public servants and public unions - we can love them, admire them and honor them - and still pay them less or cut future benefits.  Why?  Because that's what we can afford to pay.

It's not an attack on those we love and admire.  It is a pragmatic response to living within our means.

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