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Highlands Today

Double Dipping?

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Wendy Bauer

Published: November 2, 2008

"Double dipping" carries such negative undertones with it that it gives the impression of something illegal or at the very least unethical. After checking into what a local candidate was referring to when she accused her competition of "double dipping" it turned out it was simply receiving a retirement check while actively working. How many teachers, law enforcement and military personnel, just to name a few, would this apply to? One of the major advantages of working for a governmental agency is the retirement package, not necessarily the pay, just ask a first-year teacher or law enforcement officer.

If a teacher begins her career at an early age, for example 22, by the age of 57 she would complete 30 years of service plus five years in the Florida Retirement System DROP Program and could begin receiving a retirement check.

The age of 57 is very young to be told you are no longer allowed to work unless you want to be labeled as a "double dipper." With public servants in high risk jobs the age you can retire is even younger. With this ideology anyone working while receiving income would be a double dipper. Watch out single parents that are forced to work two jobs, that may also include you.

It is very sad that the ethics of our country has fallen to the point that campaigns are fought not focusing on who is the better candidate for the job but who does a better job at slandering their opponent. This negative political campaigning tactics are handed down from the candidate for the highest elected office in our country.

Wendy Bauer Sebring

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