Wow. Kathryn Levesque’s jealousy of public employee pensions comes across loud and clear (Acorn Aug. 20 letters, “It’s affordability that matters on public pensions”). I’m still laughing that she compared the risk of a crossing guard to a police officer.

Kathryn, to earn these pensions, these servants—police and firefighters—risk their lives. They signed up for their jobs, along with the pension system that was offered, which they take money out of their own paychecks to fund.

You say it has to stop now? What are you talking about? Taking it away from them? You make no sense. FYI, the average cop or firefighter doesn’t get $100,000 annual pensions; only heads of departments earn that.

But they do deserve that!

Healthcare for the family? No, when a cop retires he must supplement his family’s healthcare. Regarding affordability, the taxpayers can afford this because, if you get your facts straight, they’re only paying a small portion toward retirement.

As far as missing dinners and kisses, why don’t you comment on that? You have no idea what it’s like to have a spouse or parent put someone else’s life and property first. Even your life comes first. Each day is a huge risk of them never coming home again. That’s why the missed dinners and kisses are so important.

I wonder what you meant by, “Well, heck, do I really have to comment on that?” My comment is, “I’m thankful to the warrior spouses and children who support these servants.

By the way, thank you, Jamie Hammer, for being a warrior wife to a fireman (Acorn Aug. 20 letters, “Her husband, a fireman, deserves his pension plan”).

Sandee Saurman Thousand Oaks