Michigan legislative action thread
Posted on 11/07/2013 2:36:09 PM PST by bkopto
I am a retired Detroit Police Officer and this is my story. I hope this will not happen to you.
I joined the Detroit Police Department in 1986. At that time the city had an agreement with the federal government that made Detroit Police officers ineligible for social security and Medicare. We were led to believe that this was to our benefit. We were told that we would be taken care of upon retirement with a pension and health care.
Today, this is no longer true. Because of the bankruptcy filing by the city of Detroit, the Emergency Manager has stripped me and my fellow officers of our health-care coverage and is trying to void our pension income.
I spent more than 23 years with the Detroit Police Department as a patrol officer. I patrolled the streets of Detroit. I answered calls for service. I did not have an administrative job, nor was I an executive. I have seen some really horrific scenes and fought against the worst violent acts that most people cannot even imagine.
I have uncovered babies from shallow graves, responded to domestic-violence incidents, armed robberries, and murder scenes. I have discovered heads blown off, double ax murders, and mummified bodies in abandoned buildings.
I have saved people from being killed. I have found lost children and returned missing relatives to safety when they wandered, were carjacked, or were taken away by force. And I have come into your home or the home of someone you know when help, safety, and security were needed to help the citizens of Detroit.
I have lost more friends in the line of duty than anyone should.
I have been shot at more times than you can count; and
I have been run over.
I loved my job.
In 1996, I was on my way back to the First Precinct after patrolling the streets. I proceeded through a green light near the precinct and was struck by a vehicle that ran a red light. I do not remember much about the accident because I was in a coma for six days. I had a very serious head injury. I was off work for nearly one year, then on restricted duty for two years.
I had to learn to eat and swallow again.
My head injury caused memory issues, which I have to this day.
I did not take a duty or medical retirement at the advice of my union. They told me not to worry---the retirement insurance coverage would take care of me. But that’s not true anymore.
I do not think I am special, nor do I think I am unique. I am like every other patrol officer in any other city. I worked hard. I earned everything I have. I do not want anyone to “give” me anything.
I do want what I earned --- my health-care coverage and pension.
Thank you for listening. I hope you do not experience the same treatment.
It’s common. Public pensions take the place of social security. They are not like private sector pensions which are in addition to social security.
No, it’s about a govenment, local or federal, being unable to live up to its responsibilities due to contracts to which they have freely committed. Unions or no unions. Your dismissal of my question speaks volumes.
Is it your wish to send federal tax dollars to bail out the corrupt unions
and rat politicians so he can have his pension?
Their pension taxes took the place of the FICA tax.
What happened here is that the government reneged on a legal agreement. Something conservatives are supposed to be against.
You’re the one who is hilarious.
When the money runs out the money runs out.
There’s no tooth fairy to “make it right”...
Live within your means or eventually suffer the consequences.
As far as your business example, yes you should sue your ex-employer if they fail to live up to their obligations. But again - if the money’s gone, the money’s gone. To expect someone else to pick up the tab outside the parties directly involved is dead wrong.
And regarding unions, unions were the primary player in bankrupting his city. So yes, he should go look in the mirror regarding what happened to his pension and health care.
And your solution is?
Jumping the gun a bit aren’t we?
I didn’t realize FR had de-evolved into a den of a-holes. Instead of mocking this guy, we should simply point blame where it is due, Big Government politicians, who made promises they can’t keep. Heck, those former Detroit officials who are responsible should be forced to pay back their wages, and profits from them, into a fund, to help these people out.
Officer, you sound like a good man. I’m sorry you were naive enough to believe anything any government ever told you. ALL Government is, in part, based on lies and deception. I’m sorry they got you but, they did.
I suspect some complain about the process they also depend on.
I generally have contempt for unions, but notwithstanding the thuggery, I support their right to exist in the private sector. That’s liberty.
I once supported public unions for cops only, but I’ve since changed my view on that. I’d rather see increased pay with no special immunities, nor bennies.
I pay my own way, and it’s damn hard. No one is looking out for me except for God (I pray.) So I’m not exactly sympathetic to those that expect me to fund their retirement knowing they don’t give a crap about my future.
I prefer to play by the rules, but the rules suck and it’s a game that’s getting harder to play.
Just because the feds can survive a 17 trillion dollar debt, for now, doesn’t make the future all rainbows and unicorns. And you can bet that vets will be treated much worse than local cops. Vets will have zero legal recourse.
Well, you trusted commie unions and their Democrat politician cronies with your retirement. Sorry you had to learn the hard way.
Bankruptcy is legal and is the legal remedy for this situation.
Bankruptcy supersedes whatever agreements they had.
Shaddup and eat your peas.
You mean like the GM Bankruptcy, The Sebilius Mandate, and Obamacare? Yes the link between all three is the destruction of contract law.
Google Teresa Ghilarducci and what she wants to do with our 401k's ditto that Rep Richard Neal and his automatic 401k and the mention of a "retirement bond" within that legislation.
I feel for this man. I need more info however. The Police Pension is supposedly in better shape than the other 2, and the reduction is in the unfunded part that the city is on the hook for and this is what they will settle on. It is sad for him, but how many more were made promises that can't be kept as the question begs, what cities are next, and is this the 1st vindication of Bond Guru Meredith Whitney?
Notice this cop NEVER mentioned which party he voted for all his life.
I know what part he voted for and so do you. The party that promised
the goodies.
A lot of States and cities had it for those that worked for the city or State. Florida had the Florida Retirement System. The Rail Road has their own retirement. I can’t tell you how they work[ed], but you can probably find out on your on, if interested. Hope that helps a little.
While I can sympathize with his plight...the take away here is to never trust a democRAT politician, they lie.
I’m sorry but if the city took the legal “out” of bankruptcy then the pension and healthcare were never legally his. What is legally yours is what you can hold against all legal challenges. That’s not what he had. He trusted thieves.
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