I’m writing this because I’m hopeful that maybe other more influential people in this community will read it and take note of a real quick way of fixing our economy and saving taxpayer dollars.

Whenever I go to a local convenience store, grocery store, or just drive around town, I see people who are collecting public assistance, whether it’s food stamps or welfare, abusing the system and making the people who go to work and earn their living look like fools.

When a person can use food stamps to buy soda, candy, chips, etc., then has enough cash left over to buy alcohol or in many cases stop by their local crack house to buy drugs, there is a problem.

My solution? The majority of us who work for a living, instead of taking advantage of a flawed public assistance program, have to pass a drug test to get a job. Why shouldn’t people who are collecting benefits because of our tax dollars have to do the same?

I’m all for helping people who need it. But I’m not for helping someone who has enough money to pay for their daily high or buzz, yet can’t pay their rent or put food on the table for their kids.

You want my tax dollars to help pay your bills? Fine. But you should have to abide by the same rules to get that welfare check as I do to earn my paycheck that’s making it possible. If you can’t abide by them? Tough luck pal, you don’t get my help or the help of other taxpayers like me.

Just think of how many tax dollars would be saved in Rome alone.

— Anthony Destito, 947 Floyd Ave.