RE: “Shut up and count her blessings?” [Letters, May 29]:
You don't believe people should count their blessings? I do. I also believe that there are people in far greater need than Shela Linton, who has a loving family and not one but two college degrees. She has a distinct advantage over a lot of other people, particularly when it comes to applying for a job and earning greater income.
I believe that all programs that aid the poor should be reserved for those in greatest need, and it seems to me that Ms. Linton is not one of those people. The fact that she has high student debt was her decision, as is the fact that she is not utilizing the two degrees she boasted about having.
In her original piece [“Bearing the brunt of the cuts,” Viewpoint, April 17], she comes off as ungrateful for the opportunities she has been given, and I find that offensive, especially when there are so many women dealing with homelessness, abuse, etc. Programs should be cut to people like Ms. Linton so more people in greater need can be helped. One example: a friend of mine who is now in a shelter, having fled an abusive partner, and who has no high school diploma, to say nothing of a college degree.
If capping the programs Ms. Linton spoke of ensures that those in a far worse situation than hers get the aid they need, I feel that it should be done. She is not “bearing the brunt of the cuts,” she is bearing the brunt of the decisions she has made (taking on the high student loans, earning degrees she is now not utilizing to get a better-paying job).
One of my friends is a single mom who worked for years in dead-end jobs, went to college, earned a degree, fought for a job in her field, and today is getting ready to purchase her first home for herself and her daughter. Ms. Linton could certainly do the same thing.
Taxpayers already helped her get her degrees; the rest is now up to her.