In his op-ed “Let’s talk about fixing Pa.’s educator shortage” (Feb. 15, TribLIVE), Rich Askey did a great job explaining what should be done to attract more educators, but he failed to say what justifications should be given to the taxpayers.

How do we ask the senior working a minimum-wage job to supplement his or her Social Security to dig deeper to pay the increase in school taxes? When I purchased my paper, the cashier happened to be someone well into his 80s who could not stand.

What do we tell the seniors who worked their entire lives, only to lose their homes due to delinquent tax payment?

How do I explain to my children, who carry large college debts, that we need to pay higher taxes to pay off educators’ debt?

I have a solution. Why don’t we tap educators and politicians who make well over six-figure pensions to pay more? Or immediately switch to a self-contributory 401(k) for politicians and educators, and then increase wages? This may give the taxpayers some breathing room. And while we’re at it, let’s give more to the seniors. They deserve the rest!

Joe Brun

West Newton

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