For the last few years, using Google Alerts, I have monitored "pension funds" in the news. Generally, most pension funds, not all, have been much abused. Too often these funds have been treated as piggy banks by the private and public sectors. In most cases, they were not funded as employees worked even in cases where the employee paid into the fund, the employers did not make their full contributions. In spite of this, in the good times, in the private sector, executive compensation soared and bonuses were generous.

Now comes tough times with much blaming and with executives and public officials not taking responsibility for their own ill advised past behavior. Naturally, Republicans blame Democrats and vice versa.

The State of Florida has been dominated by Republican governance for years. Taxes have been cut. Past budgets were based on a continued robust real estate sector. Governor Rick Scott doesn't even give a nod to Republican elected official�s fiduciary incompetence. Instead, he looks for scapegoats and is finding them.

Scott is an extremely ethically challenged individual more so than most politicians and that�s a pretty low standard. He is very skilled at not leaving his fingerprints at the scene of a specific crime. However, the degree to which he will screw Florida up is going to be greater than anyone has imagined.

It will take decades to recover from George W. Bush. In fact, we may never recover from the harm he and his Administration did to America. So it will be with respect to Scott and Florida. Most of us will not live to see the scope and depth of the harm these two men are or will be responsible for.

~ richard allbritton, Miami, http://rallbritton.blogspot.co... />

I am eagerly awaiting Simon's column regarding the Obama's and their next vacation, seeing as how Obama plans on adding $7.2 Trillion to the already insane debt.

At least the republican governors are trying to find a way to follow their respective state statutes requiring balanced budgets. In contrast to the chief executive office of the national government, who when he is not galavanting around the world on Air Force One muching on Kobe beef ($100 per pound paid for by taxpayers), is giving speeches and organizing opponents to those very same governors. Whadda guy. As a republican, you really gotta love him. He is making such a mess domestically and in foreign affairs, there won't be another democrat elected President for the next 25 years easy -- maybe even for the balance of this century.

Gas prices going outta sight because of our created dependence on Middle Eastern Oil and our chief executive's response? Slap a moratorium on drilling off both coasts and the Gulf of Mexico (while the Cubans and Chinese are drilling like crazy), prevent exploration and/or drilling on US owned lands in the US, and in Alaska, thereby creating more pressure on gas prices and increasing our dependence on foreign sources.

And why? Because he thinks we should be riding in high speed trains instead of automobiles, living in apartments instead of homes, and driving cars powered by windmills or foot pedals. He welcomes $3.50 per gallon gas and can't wait for it to get to 5 bucks a gallon (or higher) in his continuing effort to Europeanize the USofA. [I guess they didn't teach in Indonesian schools that the reason European immigrants came to the US in the first place was to get out of Europe.]

Trust that those of you who voted for Hope and Change are continuing to have thrills and tingles running up and down your legs.

If Jerry Brown from California is around - he will buy drinks, caviar and canapes!

California is loaded - plenty of bucks and they can always fall back on Google or Hollywood.

Likewise, the City of New York has plenty as well!

Arizona is a different matter and is busy sending its illegals to the great sanctuary state called California. It looks as though a few other states will be sending its illegals to California to cash in as well.

Give credit on that last joke to the Tappet Bros.

You know, that popular Car Talk show that you RWers want to defund out of existence.

I asolutely cannot believe that some of you posting on here as talking serious. This whole article is a satire on the state of the states. Fortunately, I live in one of the few states that are having no financial difficulties. And I mean FEW!! Actually the whole article is very funny because it is all seen through the eyes of someone living in Washington, D.C., as well as a hotel manager.

It's nice to see the new goofball from Michigan, Snyder is there. His plan to start taxing seniors pensions to give businesses a tax break is DOA here in Michigan. He also has the Unions fed up with him already. Quite a loser. He managed to remain very vague during his Campaign for Governor to get elected he never told the people he was planning on taxing pensions and going after the unions for more concessions. The unions have already given back the last 6 years. Had Snyder been honest with the citizens of Michigan he NEVER would have been elected. Just another sneaky Republican who mislead the public to get elected. He is in for quite a suprise as the people are already FED UP with him !

My my my, Roger. You are in fine fettle this morning. /It certainly would be a tragedy to return to 2008 spending levels. EVERYONE WILL DIE!. And if you truly believe that, I've got a nice little bridge you may be interested in acquiring. Cheap. Hardly ever been used.