Carla Heisten (letter, May 24) apparently misunderstood Abby Shahn’s letter, “Those on the bottom spend money, help economy,” (May 17).

Heisten said she had worked very hard for low wages, and why does Shahn feel that she’s owed a “nice little trip to the movies with her kids?” paid for by taxes Heisten pays.

Heisten says Gov. Paul LePage is correct; able-bodied people should not expect money from the government, especially those who are just too lazy to work.

I’d like to clarify a couple of points Heisten misread in Shahn’s letter. First of all, her father, Ben Shahn, was a famous painter who expressed emotions and facts of social justice in his works. He began as a lithographer and went on to include easel painting, photography and murals. Check him out on the Internet.

Abby Shahn is a prominent artist in her own right and is featured in museums.. She too believes in social justice and cares about the poor. The poor have to eat, buy clothes (even if they come from secondhand stores) and maybe, just maybe, every now and then they might take their children to the movies.

Heisten’s premise for writing her letter had no foundation. Her sarcasm was totally out of line as far as Abby Shahn is concerned.

Joyce Bushey

Oakland