LETTERS: THAT'S MY MONEY THEY'RE SPENDING

To the editor:

On April 15 I like to reflect on how my money is spent.

Since I don't get assistance or subsidies, I pay about 40 percent.

I think of the folks to purchase a cart full of groceries with a government-issued card,

Then pay for tobacco products and leave in a new-model car.

Then there are those who hide their life's savings to receive Medicaid-Medicare.

And we haven't even mentioned the administrative costs that apply here.

We also have the WIC vouchers that pay for the real thing

While I purchase the processed products so I have money to pay for them.

Then there are those who claim to live on a fixed income (like who doesn't?) and sell the home where they live

So they can take advantage of government housing based only on the income they have.

How about tax money spent to prosecute the tobacco industry that has had tax money spent for years to subsidize the same industry?

And the outcome of all this will be, of course, more cost for you an me.

You hear of national problems (no individual responsibility here)

That must be taken care of by national policy (because, of course, we all care).

Which means: Your tax money is spent to help your government grow

Because you can't control individuals (a fact you would think we would all know).

There are those of us who feel that most would take care of themselves.

And for those who truly need assistance, we, the families and communities, have always been willing to help.

The government wastes more money that most of us can tell.

They really are very limited on the programs that they can do well.

Our officials are always politicking on less-intrusive government or responsibility back to the people, but I see no end in sight

Until those of us who really pay the taxes either join in the taking or die.

MARY NALL

Marble Hill