"move fast and break things". Seriously though, short-sightedness and disregarding externalities like other people's lives is endemic in all areas of life. Sad world we live in.

Yes, I totally agree that the problem does not come from teachers. The problem comes from decades of shortsightedness of lawmakers.

I only mentioned teachers because of their response, which is largely irrational. No ones benefits are being taken, the state is just ending a program that is unsustainable.

The private sector did this decades ago.

What happens if the state government goes bankrupt? That is not outside the realm of possibility with the current crisis.

If what the parent above you said is true and teachers are not on social security then the reform of pensions does indeed harm them.

It works this way in a number of other states. Ohio teachers (perhaps only some, I'm not sure) give up their social security in order to collect from the state teacher's pension fund, regardless of whatever they've already paid into social security. Seems a little crazy, although until very recently the pension fund appeared to be doing quite well. (they just suspended a cost of living increase for the first time ever, which is not the worst thing in the world, but I certainly am curious as to why their fund's performance has been so mediocre as of late)