Why is it when state and local governments paint themselves into a financial corner, the default statement is always, "pensions at risk" or "may curtail police/fire/ambulance protection/service", but never "entitlement programs may be frozen at current levels or benefits reduced"? The pensions in my opinion should be sacred cows because the recipients have already held up their end of the bargain, and are usually not in a position to up and renew their careers. Further, public services have already been paid for in the form of property taxes, and the taxing authority I'm sure has no intentions of reducing said taxes in line with service reductions.