The year was 1962; I was 9 years old and my brother was 8. Our father was a single parent who worked hard at the Quimby Mill in Bingham, raising two boys and keeping a roof over our heads.

One day he stopped at the Quimby school gym, where they handed out boxes to needy families. There was a large block of yellow cheese, powdered milk, powdered eggs, instant potatoes, a bag of rice, canned meat in gelatin and a large tub of peanut butter. The peanut butter was so dry it would roll up behind the knife when spreading it, but it “stuck to our ribs.” We never considered this welfare. We thought we were very fortunate to get this “boost,” and thankful to get it for the short time that we did.

Today this boost to get people back on their feet has turned into an easy career choice for far too many, and for some, generation to generation. Some of our politicians get elected by promising a check in the mail and new programs. We cannot fund the programs we have in place now.

Welfare fraud is not a victimless crime as one of our politicians said. Ask anyone with a job, working hard and paying taxes. It is theft, and should be treated so.

The president in 1962 was a Democrat who said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” He also promoted pride and independence, not dependency, and he cut taxes across the board to stimulate the economy.

My father was a proud Democrat and got just enough assistance to help us through the tough times. Oh, by the way, do you think John Kennedy would be endorsed by the Democrats today?

Harold T. Bigelow

Skowhegan


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