Able-bodied citizens need not draw welfare and other letters to the editors

Able-bodied citizens need not draw welfare

I read with interest two letters in Sunday's paper. First, the one that was satirical about liberals and conservatives. I always wondered why some folks want to hang a label on themselves. I guess they go by the things they hear rather than knowing what they really stand for. I urge those folks to look at a good dictionary.

Next, the writer who wrote about welfare being bad for families. He was right on. When food stamps and welfare were first introduced, they were meant for folks who were not able to work and children who were not being fed. It has now gotten so out of hand that able-bodied men are drawing welfare, and women are having one child after another to be able to draw the benefits. By this reliance on the government to support them, they have lost all pride in themselves and the American Dream. This, of course, affects the family structure. If an American citizen truly needs help, everyone is happy to help. But for able-bodied people and illegal immigrants living on the taxpayers, a line needs to be drawn.

JACK PINE, Dunlap, Tenn.


In response to recent cheers & jeers

Regarding Cheers & Jeers on June 8: The state comptroller's office had already finished the Polk County audit at the end of the fiscal year 07/01/2011-06/30/2012 and did not find any discrepancies. We discovered the problem ourselves in the new fiscal year.

I then reported it to the district attorney's office and to the Polk County Sheriff's Department investigators. Then I sent a letter to the state comptroller's office to notify them to do another audit and show them what we had found. The state auditors didn't have to tell us anything. We contacted them and sought the audit.

If I had not been aware that these things can and will happen, I would not have discovered what happened. It sure would be nice if you folks would find out what you are writing about before you print it. But, I guess if you print half-truths, it helps to sell your newspaper.

CONNIE CLARK, Benton, Tenn.


Dierks Bentley show ruined by bright lights

On Wednesday, my wife and I went to Riverbend to see Dierks Bentley. Unfortunately, I did not get to see much of him or his band. Every minute or two, the stage manager turned on 20 or 30 bright lights that shown right in my eyes.

If I wanted to be blinded by lights shining in my eyes, I would stand next to the Interstate and watch the traffic come toward me.

JIM OLSON

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