Your editorial “What Color Are Your Stripes?” [September 2007] had me cracking up, and I just had to write. I've been with a utility long enough (33 years) to see elements of both the new culture and the status quo culture. I am now considered an old-timer at my utility, even though I'm only 53. With that said, I want to go on record as being one who loves innovation and finding better ways of doing things. Although I've seen many instances where the status quo has been replaced with the new culture, that is not the case in the “Equitable Pay” area. Instead, we've seen our utility adopt the socialist pay plan, where everyone is compensated the same. Since 1998, I've been consistently rated as a top-tier performer, which is the highest level one can be rated. This equates to an average raise of 3% a year.

Don't get me wrong, I love coming to work, and I work for a great company, but this old dog has a few good years left. At 55, I'll have access to medical benefits, and I'll be changing my stripes. If I am, indeed, as high level an achiever as is stated in my reviews, I'll find an employer willing to reward me at a level commensurate with what I can deliver.
— Call me “Dinosaur”