LEAVE STATE PENSIONS OF LAWBREAKERS ALONE

With the guilty plea and sentencing of former Missouri House Speaker Bob Griffen on bribery and mail fraud charges has come the notion that the state pensions of lawbreakers should be revoked.

Griffen has admitted his wrongdoing and will be punished by a stay in federal prison. His pension, however, was earned by viture of being repeatedly chosen by voters in his House district. Taking away his pension would rebuff their collective will to be represented by someone who, it turned out, committed a crime. Many folks in his district, however, can point to what they consider many good years of representation by Griffen in the Legislature.

Proposals currently being considered to revoke some state pensions are not aimed directly at Griffen, of course, but it is his case that has brought such discussion to the forefront. Other state officials have blundered in ways that produced prison terms. Neither their pensions nor Griffen's would be affected, since any law passed would only deal with violations by future officeholders.

Historically, pensions have been protected by laws and court decisions. The pensions of private citizens who run afoul of the law are protected, as are the pensions of anyone who files for bankruptcy.

Leave the pensions of state officials alone. If they commit crimes, they should be hauled before a judge who will appropriately ascertain what punishment should be handed out.