Dear Editor,
As a lifelong conservative and sometime Republican, I must take exception to Leland Conway's opinions on welfare reform. I've been receiving government aid for 18 years due to disability. If there were a better social system in place, that would be great, but there's not.
Frankly, I don't know who besides my Uncle Sam would have covered the $9 million medical bill I incurred three years ago. Certainly no free-market insurance company, nor probably any one or several private institutions. Conway, of course, would argue that without government insurance programs, my bill never would have been that high. Maybe, maybe not. No private insurance company takes on long-term illness.
As for drug testing: Let's see, I had to divorce my wife to qualify for the help I needed, or ask her to live with me on less than $800 a month, nor could I live with her afterwards. I drive a 1985 Toyota, and I have no idea how I will replace it. I take care of myself and am capable of riding a bicycle. I do take prescription narcotics to function, but I'm sure I will have only to submit extra paperwork to continue to receive benefits under the plan Conway is so thrilled about.
