Letters to the Editor for Thursday, March 4, 2010

Employers don’t want older workers
Every time I see one of the proposals for salvaging Social Security I have to chuckle. The specific proposal relates to extending the retirement age for Social Security to possibly 70 years of age or thereabouts, because of the increased longevity of the average worker. I chuckle because the likelihood of the real world policy of employees being kept gainfully employed to this age will be at the least improbable, and most likely will never occur.

An exception may be in professional firms (law, medical, etc.) and Congress where people are retained into their dotage. Perhaps they are using Senators Byrd, father and son, and former Sen. Strom Thurman as their models for this proposal.

For more than 20 years the private sector, and industry in particular, have been weeding out employees in their 50s with various packages to encourage them to leave the workforce. If that doesn’t work, ultimately they are laid off. In tough economic times where will an employer look to cut costs? Most likely at the most senior employees because that’s where the most dollars are.

Even today in our local area teachers are being offered plans to encourage their retirement. The idea that a significant number of employees will be kept into their late 60s and 70s is almost laughable.

If you just don’t want to pay them until this age, just say that. But don’t suggest that because of increased longevity, people will continue to be employed to this extended age.

Oh, you might find employment as a Walmart greeter or a fast food worker, but as far as working at one’s main field of endeavor to this age will be very improbable. Most who advocate this change have obviously not spent any significant time working in the private sector or industry.

JAMES L. RICHARDSON
Forest

Nuclear power needed
Virginia is at the heart of the current nuclear renaissance, because of our natural resources, our research, development, and manufacturing capabilities, and our plans for increased capacity and production with a new plant at North Anna.

Last week’s announcement that the National Research Council will study the feasibility of mining uranium in Virginia is yet another hallmark of our contributions to the resurgence of the nation’s nuclear power supply.

This significant study by a premier institution will command national and even international attention.

Those who have tried to dismiss it as “tainted” are determined not to let science and reason rule the day. My hope is that this study will illuminate a path for continued leadership by Virginia on a path toward an energy independent future, fueled in part by nuclear power.

HEATHER NEWCOMB
Lynchburg