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What's Jimmy Smoking/Stacia/SabrinaV, Rob or whatever username you are using these days yes the cost of health care is out of control. Do you think the out of control costs on health care are the responsibility of the politicians who approved this benefit without ever implementing a system to pay for it? It seems you have enough animosity toward the unions that I'm not sure you can ever be objective on this subject. This is the fault of the people who were using their influence in office to pad their vote totals with no regard for the long term damage they were causing.

The cost of pensions has also skyrocketed. Do you blame the employees who've always met their contributions anytime they were asked? Or do you blame the politicians who underfunded pensions for years while approving contract after contract and raise after raise. Personally, I have a hard time blaming someone who's worked 20+ years, met all of their obligations yet is still told they need to "give back" to the City. Does that seem fair to you? Although I know change is needed with the current system, we also need to respect those that have worked their whole lives for the better of this City with the expectation they would retire with good benefits.

The unions have said they are willing to meet at the table. It's time for the administration to make a deal. Even if they concede in some areas (vested employees remain in the current system, 5 years of service or less will be moved to defined contribution plans etc) it's better to move the ball 1 yard at a time instead of throwing a Hail Mary once a year. Enough with the ribbon cuttings, enough with the sound bites, it's time to fix this mess!