[jimkress]

"We helped the country, and the people who helped to build the country should get the benefit of it," Pancoe said.

What whiney, self-absorbed crap! These people are responsible for their own well being. What did they do to insure their own retirement? "Implied contracts" are worth exactly the paper on which they are (not) written. But it's soooo much easier to blame their own failures on eveyone else.

They should remember that assume begins with ass. They assumed they'd be taken care of by some one else. They assumed wrong.

[A Patriot Son]

They weren't implied contracts they were guaranteed and part of workers salary and benefits that the company agreed in written contracts to provide the workers in exchange for their labor.

[pickemuphere]

These people are responsible for their own well being. What did they do to insure their own retirement?

Gee, you'd think that working for 40 years in a dangerous industry would count for something.

Perhaps you were being sarcastic?

[A Patriot Son]

What did these American citizens that you have so much contempt fail at?

They provided the services they agreed to in exchange for the wages an benefits the company promised them in written contracts. You not only have contempt for your fellow American citizens and their livelihoods but contempt for legal contracts and the rule of law.

[DoughtyOne]

What the hell is wrong with you bud? The employer guaranteed this retirement package. That enticed employees to spend their careers with Bethlehem Steel. Now it's time for Bethlehem Steel to fulfill it's obligations.

[dljordan]

Pretty harsh words for people who worked their asses off and many of whom are elderly. I guess you're right though. You should never trust politicians who sell America out buy ratifying treaties that move American jobs offshore or management who rob pension funds. Of course many of these people are from an era where there was more integrity than we enjoy now. Kinda makes me a little angry and sorry.

[OldFriend]

Since EVERYONE goes on medicare when they reach 65 I am at a loss to understand why any company should be paying for health benefits for anyone past that age.

[cherry]

"They should remember that assume begins with ass. They assumed they'd be taken care of by some one else. They assumed wrong"

would you also say that to the military retirees, and how about the police and the firemen?

[DennisR]

Amen! There were two sets of idiots here: those running the company for thinking they could provide Utopia, and those thinking the world owes them a living. Whoever in their right mind would think that charging $6 a month for benefits which costs probably hundreds a month is reasonable?

Then there's the guy that says this is a tough position to be in at this stage of life. Cry me a river, dude. How much of your salary did you save for your retirement? If you planned ahead and saved a bunch, my commendations. But you should have done that anyway. Why would you depend on promises that may or may not be fulfilled and that depend on the continued financial success of any particular company? Companies--big ones--go out of business every day.

But whiner of the day in this article goes to Joe Pancoe, who apparently thinks the world owes him a living. (Odds are 100-1 that this guy votes for every Democrat/Socialist/Utopian/Communist that makes the ballot.) Joe, are you saying YOU did not benefit from all your years at a high-paying job given to you by a union that eventually destroyed the steel industry in this country? What percentage of your salary did you save every single month after your kids were grown and out of the house?

[TheSpottedOwl]

They should remember that assume begins with ass. They assumed they'd be taken care of by some one else. They assumed wrong. Pretty harsh post. Remember that Mr. Pancoe is 81 years old. Back in the day, someone's word was a bond. The workers were promised certain benefits in exchange for giving their productive years and loyalty to the company. Us youngsters know better...

[LasVegasMac]

What whiney, self-absorbed crap! These people are responsible for their own well being. What did they do to insure their own retirement? "Implied contracts" are worth exactly the paper on which they are (not) written. But it's soooo much easier to blame their own failures on eveyone else.

They should remember that assume begins with ass. They assumed they'd be taken care of by some one else. They assumed wrong.

Pretty quick with the "it's all your fault" attitude aren't you.

Just remember a couple of things: They really did help build this country - with a lot of blood, sweat and tears. They actually had the faith to believe in the company, unlike today.

Show some respect....*(@%*#%$!, damn.

LVM

[k2afe]

You are correct. Health care is only as good as the assumption
from the company that they will offer it. The only persons that
ever received guarantees of lifetime health care are the members of the US congress... They have an ironclad health
insurance at OUR expense... My health insurance booklet states that they can withdraw this benefit at any time. k2afe

[Hildy]

Shut up, buy a subsidy to your medicare for an average of $50 a month and there's you medications. I'm so sick of these people.

[NittanyLion]

What whiney, self-absorbed crap! These people are responsible for their own well being. What did they do to insure their own retirement?

Stayed at Bethlehem Steel for their entire career, in exchange for expressly written benefits? These workers made good on their part of the bargain, and now the Bethlehem Steel has defaulted on theirs.