Editor,

Thank you and DBR Jim Beno for the excellent article on the pension crisis.

I will be emailing all the members of the Pension Select Committee a letter based on the sample letter because I’m retired, concerned and, frankly, I have the time. But what of busy working members who are also concerned and just can’t put aside the time for this crucially important issue? Will their silence be read as indifference?

On an almost daily basis I receive petitions and letters by email, addressed to my legislators on positions for pending bills sent by progressive groups that I support. With a couple of key strokes using these forms, I write my Representatives and Senators of my concern on issues and ask for their response.

How can the IAM create a database to provide its membership a similar, singular voice to legislators? It may not be cheap to maintain a program like that, but consider how many more members would make their voices heard if our International, District, and even Local Lodges used direct emailing in a similar way?

Like it or not, this is the way our democracy works today. Labor deserves to be heard—loud and clear.

Alven Andersen,

Gratefully Retired