Speak Out 4/29/11

Begrudging the rich

MY husband and I this year will have paid $20,000 in taxes. But the point is that we feel very blessed and fortunate that we make that kind of money and can help others if there's a need and that we can even build something for ourselves, a luxury item. I feel sorry for the Speak Out contributor who says that someone begrudges the rich. I know what it's like to travel in Europe. The flat tax is not the answer. If it were, we'd already be doing it.

National anthem

OUR national anthem was created nearly 200 years ago. It is beautiful and dignified and has great historic significance. Most other nations have an anthem equally solemn and dignified. My family thinks it is dreadful that so many performers put their own spin on our national anthem to the point that it is barely recognizable. It was never intended to be performed to a rap cadence or jazzed up.

Social Security

EVERY day I pray that we old senior citizens can get some more money in our Social Security check. I barely have enough to pay my bills, and all I can do is just sit and wait for the next check. I have no money to do anything.