No compassion

A spokesperson for the right finally let the cat out of the bag ... or should I say, the animal out of the park.

In a Feb. 19 letter “Handouts don’t help,” a writer equates food stamp recipients with animals in a national park. Neither should be fed or they’ll grow dependent on handouts and not take care of themselves. So, food stamp recipients are animals. Lovely!

Now we really know the depth of contempt held by the lucky for the unfortunate. Because the difference between the haves and have-nots often comes to luck. Unless you’re born to serious wealth, one meteor can destroy you. Lose your job? Sudden catastrophic illness? POW! – your hard-earned savings are gone and you must choose; roof, medicine or food this month?

There are a few who take advantage of the system, but tarring all with the same contemptuous brush is beyond reprehensible. I find myself hoping that those who sneer at the less fortunate are themselves struck down by fate, that one day they awaken in desperate straits and experience the back-of-the-hand attitude they so freely spew.

So much for Christian charity and compassion. I suppose they’re too expensive.

Kelly Howard

Durham