To the Editor:

We live in an era where many of our politicians are unwilling to take on difficult issues. Rocking the boat can lose votes, and therefore nothing gets done. I do not believe in that way of thinking. For instance, our current welfare system needs to be fixed. We are all compassionate for and willing to help those of us that truly need help. Take for example, seniors on fixed incomes or the working poor that truly are working but cannot catch a break. We all believe in a helping hand up, which is what was truly imagined by the designers of the original welfare system.

I believe that our current welfare system is abused and goes unchecked. New York State is the ultimate utopia for the person looking to beat the system. The current welfare system is out of control. There is something inherently wrong with a system that promotes the abuse of the tax payer like it does in NY. We must break the cycle of generational welfare and change the culture. This can be done by requiring people who are parents or expecting to be parents while on welfare should have to take and pass a parenting course. I believe in restoring a man and women’s dignity to go out and earn it every day. How? Requiring a drug test is not unreasonable. Most professions of the working class require workers to take and pass a drug test. The working class is also required to pay the way of those who take advantage of the benefits of social programs. The welfare system today seems to be a choice of early retirement for too many, rather than temporary assistance.

People on the system should be given a way out by mandating vocational training, or requiring online courses being taken. There is nothing wrong with requiring people who are collecting benefits and not working, to volunteer at county homes, hospitals and local schools. There is nothing wrong with expecting something in return. When elected I will submit legislation to address these concerns. Some counties have a welfare fraud task force, and most are self-funded by the savings they create. There are many common sense approaches to this problem, but our politicians seem to lack just that. Elect Patrick J. Vincent to 118th Assembly district, and I will stand up for the taxpayer. Please visit www.patrickvincentforassembly.com.

Patrick Vincent

118th Assembly District candidate from Cold Brook