The Coal Miner

The nation pledged to the coal miners’ union in 1946 that, in exchange for their dangerous but critical work, miners’ pensions and health care would always be secure. Letting the UMWA pension fund collapse would be foolhardy as well as inhumane, costing taxpayers more in the long run while also endangering the government’s Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp.But the UMWA endorsed McConnell’s Democratic opponent in 2014; non-union coal companies, such as Joe Craft’s Alliance Resource Partners, are thought to oppose the measure.In this season of giving, McConnell naturally wants to thank Craft for the millions of dollars he’s given Republican candidates and committees. But McConnell should find a way that does not deprive retired miners and their widows of benefits they were promised and earned..kentucky.com Lexington Herald Leader