Unfunded pension plans not labor’s fault

Letter writer Richard Berman’s Jan. 29 anti-union diatribe should come as no surprise to anyone who has ever read anything published by his Center for Union Facts. But it would be nice if he could at least be factual. Labor leaders didn’t create unfunded pension plans. Defined benefit pension plans, especially in the construction industry, were created during collective bargaining between labor and management.

They were fully funded until Berman’s pal, President George W. Bush, drove our economy into a tailspin, wrecking every American’s pension and 401 (k) plans when the stock market tanked.

Bob Krul, Brookeville, MD

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‘First 48’ exploits victims of crime

Thank you for your recent coverage of the city of Miami Police Chief Manuel Orosa’s decision not to renew a contract with the reality show The First 48. For years the show’s film crew has roamed the streets of Miami’s urban communities searching for victims of homicide to feature on their show. 1369259411
Spiritual or religious?

Martin Slater’s May 17 letter, Changing beliefs, responding to Myriam Marquez’s May 12 column makes the common mistake of equating religion and spirituality. While religions encourage the development of our spiritual sense, religious dogmas are unnecessary to cultivate one’s own sense of spirituality. Many nonreligious individuals are highly spiritual, keenly in tune with their inner-self and the concept of a creative universal force. 1369259411
DCF is disgraceful

Re the May 21 article DCF deemed boy safe before he was left in vehicle: It’s unbelievable that the Department of Children & Families would do absolutely nothing about a woman who reportedly was drunk and driving, hitting walls and passing out while her young son was in the car untethered. 1369259411

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