I have a pain in the neck – quite literally – and no, it’s not from the democrats.

Last Thursday I stopped on Route 34 as the car in front was waiting to turn into his driveway. A truck came behind me and stopped as well, but I suddenly heard a squeal of tires as a car hit the truck, which slammed into me and then made me smack the car in front. It was like a macabre game of tag without all the jolly, rollicking fun.

Thankfully, the only significant damage was to the vehicles and not the drivers. But I do have the aforementioned pain in the neck from being suddenly catapulted and then stopped just as quickly.

I’m not writing this to get pity – okay, maybe a little bit – but to explain why no articles have been forthcoming. Let me get my life back in order and I’ll resume.

–

Aww, while I’m at it I can’t resist a little pontificating…

I read that the teachers have voted to return to the old pension system. According to the Charleston Gazette, “retirement benefits under the defined-contribution plan were to be based on investments managed by enrollees with the help of a state-hired consultant. The Legislature closed the plan to new enrollees last year following complaints from teachers about their investment returns.” While some did lose, many others gained thousands of dollars that will now be lost as they move to the old system. It is dishonorable for the state to renege on their promise. Those who benefited from the new system should be allowed to retain the money due them.

“The vote will send the enrollees and their funds, with an estimated market value of $645.7 million, into TRS on July 1,” says the Gazette. “This 71-year-old program guarantees a retirement benefit based on final salaries and years of service.”

If I were a teacher, I would want to control the fate of my own money. How secure can the old system really be? The same people who changed the rules for the “new planners,” after all, guarantee it.

–

Anyone going to West Virginia Power’s opening night? I’ll be there on the first base side with the bent neck. If you see me, please stop by and say hello.