Pension systems are separate

Re "6-figure pension list has soared" (Page A1, July 18): Your article about public employee "double-dipping" was misleading. Two of the people the story focused on were Sacramento County retirees who went to work for CalPERS employers.

The poorly reported fact in the article is that the Sacramento County retirement system and CalPERS are separate from one another. The salary paid by the PERS employer does not burden the county, and the county pension is not a charge to PERS or the PERS employer. The fiscal health of PERS does not impact the county retirement system, and vice versa.

– David Beales, Elk Grove

The upside of 'double-dipping'

Again we see the continued attack on public workers and their retirement benefits. If a worker earns a six-figure pension, it is a contractual benefit based on salary and years worked. If you don't like that, offer the contract with different terms.

And what a worker does during his or her retirement years is nobody's business. Many retirees, not just public employees, choose to travel, volunteer, work as consultants or return to the work force. The criticism for "double-dipping" always ignores the fact that the returning worker provides actual services. The government gets an experienced worker who is not entitled to retirement, medical, disability or other benefits. Seems like a pretty good deal for the taxpayer to me.

– Victoria Aiken, Sacramento

Don't blame public employees

I was doubly outraged by the story. First, in spite of many hardworking leaders, perhaps few merit such compensation. Too often, pension spiking or an excessive salary structure for executives and administrators makes problems. I'm glad that The Bee forced the county to release the data.

But as a hardworking state employee, I'm outraged that the headline feeds into the know-nothing agenda that wants to blame our bad economy on government workers. It is bankers, real estate speculators and Wall Street firms that destroyed many families' dreams of home ownership, along with millions of jobs. Corporate pensions and salaries, harder to dig up, are much more outrageous than those of government workers.

– Bill Knox, Davis

High-speed rail on track

Re "High-speed rail debacle now looms" (Dan Walters, July 17): When it comes to high-speed rail, Dan Walters chooses to highlight only what fits his view.

Regarding recent reports on the project, he could have included that the Peer Review Group supports "the development of high-speed rail in California" or that "the project, despite the problems outlined, could have some reductions in other spending for transportation improvements as well as air quality and other environmental benefits."

The bottom line is that California needs to improve transportation for the 12 million additional people who will be living here by 2030. High-speed rail takes less of a financial and environmental toll than wider roads and more airport runways.

The state will continue to solicit outside reviews and constructive feedback to build the best system possible. We don't agree that we should sit back and allow our population to outgrow our infrastructure and cripple our economic potential.

– Jeffrey M. Barker, deputy executive officer, California High-Speed Rail Authority

The real outrage on cartoon

Re "Cartoon is ignorant" (Letters, July 18): I just received an email from the California Teachers Association suggesting that I express my outrage over the July 14 Tom Meyer cartoon depicting how teachers were protected in the recent budget. So here goes: I am outraged that every time the overpaid, self-serving, self-important CTA union bureaucrats get attacked, they try to turn it into an attack on teachers.

CTA does not represent students, period. For that matter, it does not even truly represent teachers. While every public school teacher in California is required by law to pay dues to CTA, only those members who pay extra to support political candidates of CTA's choosing are allowed to vote in CTA elections. Does that sound like representation to you?

Like virtually all organizations with power, its primary goal is securing more control over those issues they deem important – many of which have nothing to do with education.

– Kinsey Blomgren, Springville

Feds overzealous on pot

Re "Federal pot memo worries dispensaries" (Page A1, July 18): Do the feds have nothing better to do? There are so many other drugs that can cause so much more damage to people. Or are the feds just looking for a big drug score, which doesn't have the larger weapons guarding them?

Go for the cocaine or the meth labs, or even prescription drug abuse. We have overcrowding in prisons and all the feds want to do is fill them with pot growers.

– J.G. Newton, Citrus Heights

Birthing exhibit is beautiful

Re "Fair board lacks compassion" (Letters, July 15): While I respect all opinions, my experience at a State Fair birthing event was gentle and beautiful. The crowd, including youngsters of all ages, stood well back from the enclosure and were totally silent, watching in awe as knowledgeable and efficient veterinarians helped the mother give birth to her baby. You could have heard the proverbial pin drop. When the calf made its appearance, a low cheer began, quickly squelched by the vets. At no time were there snickers, raucous antics or interference from anyone.

It would seem a humane miracle is a lovely way for some to see an event they have never seen before; one taking place constantly on our farms and ranches. Happiness and knowledge lie in the compassion and regard we have for others, two-legged or four-legged.

– Celeste Snavely, Sacramento

My sheep fine with it

This is the fifth year that I have provided pregnant sheep for the State Fair livestock nursery. Last year's incident was tragic, but mistakes happen in life and we move on, having learned from them. I would not bring my sheep to the nursery if I were not confident of their care and well-being.

I am convinced that my sheep are unconcerned by people on the other side of the fence, even when giving birth. At that time the ewe is focused on what she is doing and does not pay attention to outside influences. And once her lambs are there, that is all she cares about.

– Robin Lynde, Vacaville

No need for live births

Re "Waiting, waiting for fair's miracle of life" (Editorial notebook, July 19): The writer was snookered by the hype of "live-birth" exhibits. Live cams would suffice, but the State Fair board allows stressful transporting of a very pregnant cow when professional veterinarians advise against it. Most likely she's been artificially brought into estrus and inseminated.

Why not have live artificial insemination exhibits?

– Jim Cather, Loomis

Exasperated by exhibit

I have pretty much given up on people. I went to the State Fair once and will never go again. How can one watch a cow (or any animal) in pain for hours and find it fascinating? Is it the same mentality that has people sit and watch "reality" shows on TV?

– Judy Barnett, Folsom

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