Letter - Most don't want to be on welfare

To the editor:

Regarding the food stamps/welfare comments: Representative Mary Franson, you should be ashamed of yourself. Your comments about getting people off the government programs – it’s not as easy as go get a job.

Yes, here in Alexandria we do have a lot of manufacturing businesses; however, have you read the help wanted ads carefully? Most of these jobs request skilled labor or a degree in that field. Do you really think people want to be "on the system?” Most do not. If it's “get a job, get off welfare” time, please tell us a constructive way we can do this.

I was an executive secretary for more than 20 years making $14.50 an hour. Because of the job market decline, I now stock shelves at an area store for little more than minimum wage. I'm I suppose to sell my house and all of my belongings and live in a style of life I'm not used to? When you were on government programs like food subsidy for your daycare, did you change your lifestyle?

Now, we'll go onto a whole other class of people, the ones that fall into the cracks. These people have learning disabilities, anger issues and mildly mentally challenged. They are not bad enough according to government guidelines to get any help looking for and maintaining a job, yet they are bad enough to not being able to find or hold a job. What do you think these type people should do? Be homeless? Starve?

I don't feel an apology is enough, I feel that your job has gotten to you; you are not able to see the people’s point of view. You should resign and never work in any field where you are in power of any type or work with disadvantaged people. I know: Why don’t you work at one of those vast manufacturing jobs you think are out there?

Dawn Batzlaff

Alexandria, MN

Tags: opinion, letters