There’s too many examples that illustrate welfare benefit abuse and lack accountability. If we continue to hand out free money for doing nothing, our nation is in trouble. We need accountability in government and from citizens.

Are you telling us that our elected officials, along with the federal government, had nothing to do with 13 states paying individuals more on welfare than the minimum wage? Where’s the incentive to work? Yet the government [continues] it’s various welfare programs, including tax breaks and new taxes to Social Security. Congress is changing the tax codes just so many don’t have to pay for the benefit they receive. The IRS is trying to change our tax agency into a welfare program.

Elected officials have endorsed and promoted people doing nothing except to sit on their butts. Now you’re saying that’s OK and they can’t do anything about it? Who got us into this irresponsible mess? They did, and it’s up to them to get us out.

If our current elected officials don’t want to fix the problem, then it is up to the us to find people who will. [The Kirkland City Council’s] attitude is part of the problem, not part of the solution. Failure to hold politicians and citizens from irresponsible decisions is not something you apparently support.

Perhaps you have not heard of the forest ranger, a government official, telling people not to feed the bears. His answer was if you feed the bears, they will not learn how to support themselves. You are working for the city. You are feeding the bears. I think it can be said, you are supporting yourself and your family, I hope I’m right.

It’s up to everyone to support themselves and their families.

Welfare was never supposed to be included as a governmental responsibility. Historically, some elected officials have tried but failed.

We need to get out of the welfare role. From our governor on down, they want to tax those who earn money and give it to those who don’t. It’s got to stop. Poor people usually vote for democrats but they are still poor. That needs to change.

Elected officials can and should do it for the future generation unless you think bread lines are acceptable. Sooner or later, we will also run out of chickens that go into someone else’s pot besides your own.

Robert L. Style, Kirkland