Define ‘entitlement,’ please

Define ‘entitlement,’ please

I keep on hearing that Social Security and Medicare are entitlement programs, when that is not the case for most of those who receive benefits from these programs. I and most of those who receive these benefits have contributed to them for a lifetime of work through payroll deductions.

As a visitation minister who has contact with many older Americans for many years I have seen how the benefits and pensions they have earned support them when they can no longer work because of aging and physical frailty. The first responsibility of the government is to protect the citizens, especially the most vulnerable among them.

The government wastes so much money sending people to the moon and rockets to outer space and then sends our soldiers to other countries where we have no business being there. No wonder there is a deficit in the budget and enormous debt in America.

Representatives in Washington are getting kickbacks from projects and industries that they support in Congress and they are being corrupted by the money they receive from these groups. All of this should be illegal and the Justice Department should prosecute these white collar criminals. All of the “pork” that these individuals push through the Congress and the Senate should be made illegal and never be allowed in our country.

The government should instead use the money to pay down the debt, put money into reforming our educational system, law enforcement system, securing our borders and refurbishing our infrastructure and cities.

Like the scripture tells us that they call evil good and good evil, our nation has allowed immorality and injustice to rule the air waves, the radio, the television and the Internet. The real problem behind all of the symptoms is the sin of America; the worship of money, power, sex and possessions and God Himself will eventually judge America for all of these sins.

Pastor Leo Feher, Youngstown

Re-establishing camaraderie

Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.

Well I say, not today, tomorrow or ever. It does not have to be that way.

How many good people served their country? It is an experience no one will ever forget, even though some may try. People came from all walks of life to get a job done. Team work at that young age left most of us in awe.

In a faraway land, detached from family and school mates, a new family developed. A military family. You worked together, you may have fought together, ate together, partied together and, yes, sometimes argued together.

When it was time to leave, your eyes watered, and you became very sad. You were leaving part of your family, for the second time in your life.

Years later, you think about it and say, “That really was something.”

Things have changed a lot since then. You may want to turn back the clock, and you can do that.

Go join a military organization in your area. Your friends are still there. They are just a little older.

Paul R. Lawson, McDonald

Pit Bulls have gotten bad rap

I am a huge pet lover, and was so glad to hear that Ohio’s ban on pit bulls being a dangerous breed will soon be lifted.

All of my dogs have been rescues of various breeds, from small to large, over the years. I am currently the proud owner of a rescued pit bull and will say it is one of the best breeds I have ever owned. They love to be loved. When I first got her, she reminded me of a lab or boxer, She is patient, kind, compassionate and very loyal.

They thrive on pleasing you, and being praised. This is not a breed to yell at when correcting. If you yell at them, I feel you can ruin them. They take everything to heart. She’s a happy dog all the time, wagging her tail and curious about everything.

My pit bull was raised with a Doberman and they got along great. She gets along with most dogs, and loves to play ball. Pit bulls love to be held. I have a 73 pound lap dog, yet, she is a great watchdog, letting me know when someone pulls into our driveway. That’s her job, she knows it, and she does it well.

I often wondered why the news only reported pit bull attacks, when I have heard of a lot of other breeds that have bit people. The pit bulls were stereotyped from the beginning as an attack dog because of irresponsible owners. They were tortured, starved and made into fighting dogs. Let’s ban the owners, not the breed.

Had my dog not been a rescue, I would not have had the privilege of owning her and would have missed out on having one of the best breeds there is out there. If you want a lovey and loyal dog, a breed that is brilliant beyond belief, adopt a Staffordshire Terrier, aka pit bull.

Jackie Blasiman, New Waterford