The editor:
The other day I was talking to a college student. He was telling me what a wonderful country the United States is. He said in broken English, “I came to the United States less than one year ago as an immigrant.” He went on to tell me that he, his wife and two kids had just been to the dentist and had all their teeth fixed. I said, “I bet that cost you a bundle.” He replied, “Oh, no — I have a card and it didn’t cost me anything.” He went on to tell me that he was going to college free, that his rent was free, plus food stamps. He was so enthusiastic about the United States that I didn’t have the heart to tell him that he was walking all over my ulcers.
I tried not to show my emotions, because I had paid taxes here in America for about sixty years and I only draw a small Social Security check with NO benefits. I also have to pay taxes on that small check.
As I walked away I couldn’t help thinking that I was stupid for signing up for Social Security when I retired at 62. Why didn’t I sneak out of the United States as an American citizen, and come back as an immigrant, then I could have enjoyed the benefits of Democracy also.
Cliff Barker
Morehead
