The Jan. 21 letter Needed entitlements says that the “great” United States entitles everyone to fair wages, decent and affordable living accommodations, safe and efficient infrastructure and roads, healthcare, adequate food, an education, vacation and personal time, flexibility and a livable retirement income. It addition, it should take care of the medical needs of the elderly, infirm, children and the less fortunate. The letter says that America should pay for this marvelous entitlement society with “fair and graduated taxes.”

I hope the letter writers were being facetious. Citizens are promised life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is not the government’s place to provide for people who sit back and collect what others work for. Social Security and Medicare are not entitlements. A lot of us paid into this system.

Americans are not entitled to anything. Anyone who wants the finer things in life should get out, get an education or learn a trade and work for them. I refuse to work hard, hire employees and pay into the system so some people can stay home, complain how the system should work and exploit the hard work of others.

Two things are certain, death and taxes. Years ago they arrested Al Capone for tax evasion. Today they put tax evaders in government.

You work hard all your life, attain a certain level of comfort, pay taxes on what you have saved and when you die the government steps in and makes your estate pay an inheritance tax on what you leave behind and already paid tax on. Double dipping. It is not a perfect country, but it is the best in the world.

Wayne Edwins, Pinecrest