CHOOSING WELFARE

MUNSTER, Ind. -- In reply to Barbara Ransby's June 11 commentary on
Michigan's new, anti-drug welfare policy, "Trampling the rights of the
poor," I pose a question: When will the government stop trampling on the
rights of the average citizen? Maybe it has escaped your attention, but
representatives of the federal and state government arrive at your door
every April 15. These folks don't "ask" for money. They have a gun pointed
at your head and demand the cash.

You might reply, "if you don't like our government, move," and you would be
correct. I choose to live in this imperfect setting and with my acceptance
come all the conditions laid down by our government.

If those who choose to accept welfare (and make no mistake, it is ultimately
their choice) don't like the conditions imposed on this handout, they are
free either to move or to choose not to accept the money. No representative
of the government will come and force them to accept the money.

Ransby mentions that "poverty sometimes encourages the desire for numbness
and escape. . ." and thus, a dependence upon drugs. Well I say we don't want
welfare recipients numb, we want them at work.

Rick Grigsby