My friend and blogger Glen Brown writes to the Springfield Journal-Register:
It is a matter of public interest when current policymakers attempt to rob public employees of their Constitutionally guaranteed contracts, for punishing and victimizing public employees through a breach of contract instead of addressing the state’s inadequate revenue system and underfunding of the public pensions is a form of violence upon a group of people who have faithfully served the citizens of Illinois. It is a violation of due process and equal protection.
According to the U.S. Constitution, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.”
It is reprehensible when Illinois policymakers choose not to uphold their oath of office and protect the state’s constitutional contracts. It is deplorable when Illinois policymakers support and listen to wealthy interest groups instead — those organizations that drain state contracts of their legal and moral content and, thus, exploit the citizenry of Illinois.
Glen Brown
Naperville
Read more: http://www.sj-r.com/letters/x1367232581/Letter-Mind-the-Constitution-on-pensions#ixzz2d6hNZMGx
Fred Klonsky 