There has been much ado about the cost associated with pensions for public sector employees.

Recently, I saw a friend of mine who is a retired teacher. I know his wife quite well who is also a retired teacher. They entered that profession knowing what was expected of them and what they could expect in return — pay, assorted benefits and retirement.

Those issues were hammered out and agreed upon by various communities and officials of the state of Maine. Then some elected officials in Augusta felt that instead of funding the retirement system as they promised, they would, could and did defer making those payments over and over again in an attempt to balance the state budget. We all know where that led.

Now, here they come saying public employees asked for too much. That even though they agreed to it, they did not mean to, so they want public employees to pay more so other taxpayers can pay less.

If anyone tried to do that to me, I would be some angry and would be lining some laywer’s pocket to represent me as I prepared to face those liars and thieves.

What was negotiated should be left alone. What may be negotiated in the future, should be just that — in the future.

We try to teach our children that when people commit to something, they should be held responsible for that commitment.

Paul Parquette, Lewiston