Letter - Dismayed by Franson fallout

To the editor:

Having read the comments allegedly made by Representative Mary Franson and the reaction to them, I am dismayed by the reaction itself.

I feel that the representative was referring to those who have been on the long-term rolls of our welfare system for a variety of reasons – valid and not so valid – and not those who have become members of the system because of the economic downturn in our country.

There are those who have been in the system for an extended period, not because they are unemployable but because it simply easier to be on the rolls than it is to put some effort into finding a job.

These are those that drive their newer pickups and smoke their $5 packs of cigarettes and are out drinking their beer, and that is all bought at public expense.

I applaud Representative Franson for stating her views because she is in a position to possibly make changes rather than simply sitting back and letting the past abuses become part of the future of the welfare system.

There is always someone out there who is looking to provide a misinterpreted version of something said by a public official, so that it will appear as something else.

Hugh Myers

Alexandria, MN

Tags: opinion, letters