The North Carolina Senate has turned its back on government retirees as they sought to pass a budget without consideration of those who worked in public service. The Senate now refuses to negotiate with the state House. Retirees are left struggling to make ends meet, weathering the inflationary storm with the declining buying power of their pension dollars. It is time to say enough is enough. Those who talk a big game about the impact of inflation are choosing not to do anything to bring relief to North Carolina's retired public servants. The House budget has a 2 percent bonus for state retirees, and a bill currently in committee provides a 2% bonus for local government retirees.