Editor:

Gail (Viewpoint, Sept. 23), Governor Romney was not talking about middle class people such as you and I. He was specifically talking about those who “milk” the system by taking and who are not entitled to do so. People on Food Stamps, Medicaid, WIC program, seniors, etc. who really do need assistance, should get these benefits if they qualify. But you and I know there are always those who will sign up for, and receive, due to our fraud system of government, benefits to which they are not truly entitled. And I am speaking to everyone reading this-if you are part of the problem, shame on you!

Yes, Gail, we “middlers” are the strength and backbone of this country, but we cannot do it alone. Let’s not say the unemployed no longer have to look for a job. Small businesses are hurting due to our government’s chokehold on regulations. This is crazy, especially in light of the fact small business creates more jobs than any other sector. I do not want to be beholden to government for what we should be doing for ourselves. Big government is a curse-it is not a gift nor “the American way”.

Barrie (Viewpoint, Sept. 23), just exactly what is any American’s fair share in taxes when our government gives our money away to countries that hate us; manufacturing plants that are going belly-up before they make even one thing that is usable; banks that overextend themselves; reality companies that seemingly have no regulations at all; and on, and on it goes.

Governor Romney paid his taxes, and that is all we should require of him or any other American until big changes are made in Washington, D.C. I cannot believe there are smart millionaires and billionaires out there who would willingly pay more in taxes considering the environment of this government as it stands today. They must have been smarter when making money than they are at spending it.

Carol A. Jacobson, Rhinelander