Opinion: In Tuesday’s Letters to the editor
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In Tuesday’s Letters, readers sound off on the continuing saga that is California’s budget crisis, questioning the state’s decision to furlough employees -- and unions’ determination to fight back.
Sharon Vesely, of Pomona, wonders why anyone with any sense would furlough the employees at unemployment centers:
It’s wonderful to furlough employees to save money; however, the government never seems to do this in a businesslike manner. For example, closing the unemployment centers two days a month at a time of high unemployment makes no sense. Next, the government will want to close police and fire departments, which are absolutely crucial during bad times. Can the state please pick something that does not impact the public in such an immediate way? I know: How about cutting pork?
Pasadena’s Peter Fertig, however, thinks more Californians should get on board with the furlough idea:
With the nation experiencing rising unemployment, it is quite amazing to see the arrogance and selfishness of our state employee unions in attempting to overrule the governor’s furlough order. When they wake up in the morning, they should look in the mirror and give thanks that they still have jobs. Perhaps they should ask the unemployed in America if they would have accepted furloughs, had they been offered, instead of pink slips. Come on, unions; we’re in this together. You need to give as much as the rest of America.
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