Those who loudly shout that California needs pension "reform" now, now, now ("Legislature Must Go All-the-Way with Pension Reform," Fox&Hounds, 7/3/12) illustrate exactly what is wrong with the public debate on government employees' retirements: critics scream for quick action and work to create a hysteria, but provide no tangible solutions.

Pension reform needs to be done right, not just done fast. That means taking the time to understand how to shape the state's system so that it continues to work for our budget, for our workforce, and for the overall economy. The state Legislative Analyst's Office agreed, saying in a report that "with several thousand public employers and many different pension and retiree health packages offered to public employees, it is very difficult to fashion a workable, fair, sustainable set of legislative provisions ... We strongly urge the Legislature to take several months to fashion a pension plan in response to the Governor's proposals."