A "thinking" STRS retiree

From Laura Reed, November 29, 2006

Subject: Laura Reed Writes:

Until 1985 I was not at all interested in any kind of politics. I voted like my parents and grandparents voted before me. I believed in what I was told -- because I assumed that everyone had my best interest at heart.

Then, I found that I would not get my benefits that I had been promised from Social Security for my husband's 40 years of work. Then I found that I would not receive health care for life; then I found that my retirement money was going to people who were "living high on the hog" at my expense. Suddenly over the past 20 years it has dawned on me that "one must be responsible for one's own self" and I began to take an interest in what was going on (especially when it had to do with my retirement).

I have worked very hard for 20 years to try and get the Offset/Windfall Provisions repealed (don't believe I had any support from OEA, OEA-R, ORTA etc. NEA has worked hard (Carrie Lewis is doing a great job). When I phoned ORTA I was told a few years back that they did not have time to work on "things like that".

Well, then Dennis Leone (thank goodness for thinking men) found out what was going on at STRS -- and I worked constantly getting support for him. I am in strong support of Dr. Leone and John Lazares -- and I am certain there must be a few others who are "thinking" people (I am just not aware of who they are -- I can't judge by some of the voting that is going on).

I have been asked by many people in my area to run for the STRS Board. My answer is always "I do not have the qualifications" -- I can only work for those who do have the qualifications -- When Board members vote to pay legal fees for those STRS staff (who could have used free services) I wonder "why?" So many ill-thought-out votes make me wonder "why"? When a certain woman tries to make people "Shut up" -- I wonder "why?"

So then I get out my pen and paper and I start again to be "political". And I laugh when I hear some person say "Don't make me come up there!" I am 73 and I can finally say what I think (until a few years ago I was afraid I would offend someone or hurt someone's feelings) -- HUM! I am asking each person on the Board to stop and think "What is fair to everyone concerned" -- "Is it true" -- "Will it benefit all concerned -- and my own little thought "Would your Mama be proud of you?"

Thanks for the time that it took to read my ramblings -- just stop and think and ask yourselves "Am I on the Board for my own benefit or am I on the Board to benefit the retired people who have worked so very hard and long for their benefits?" -- May God Bless each one of you and help you to adjust your thinking! Thanks Dr. Leone and John Lazares for being the guys in the "white hats"!
Laura J. Reed