Misleading Titles

The title “Don’t subsidize low-income people” in the Sunday 9/20/07 Tribune referring to “A surprise in your Electric Bill” written 8/28/07 is very misleading. Most working people do not mind helping the truly needy. People who are needy do not smoke, use drugs or alcohol, go to movies, have telephones, cars, microwaves, dishwashers, T.V.’s, cell phones, computers etc. Helping the needy means to help with food, clothing and a place to live. If people truly need help I don't mind helping them but I don't owe them anything. If you want the lifestyle I have you have to work for it just like I do. If you can afford cars, telephones, cell phones, computers, alcohol and/or drugs you can buy your food, clothing and a place to live first. If you are subsidized by my tax dollars with food, clothing and a place to live you sure won't have to work very hard to get the rest.

However the 9/20/07 article is very telling! Working class Americans are tired of being forced by Congress to support 75% of America’s population. Take Social Security taxes for example. Social Security taxes were meant to subsidize workers after they retire. It was never intended to aid illegal aliens and others who have never paid a dime into the system. Due to Congressional mismanagement the last 60 years the system is broke.

Working people are tired of paying taxes that keep them struggling to pay their bills while their tax money gives non-workers the same benefits that they have to work for.

However, the two articles said nothing about not helping the truly needy as the title suggests. What the authors are saying is that gas companies collecting money that is supposed to help people who have trouble paying their gas and electric bills without peoples permission is illegal. The collected fund should cover all people who have temporary problems paying their electric bills as was at first intended not go to low-income families only. Also working people would like to know exactly, with proof to back it up, how that money is being spent. As a temporary help it should mean a once or twice payment not an entire heating season.