Let me begin, up front, with some information about myself. I am a senior citizen in my 70s. Retired from the U.S. Navy. I grew up, as most people my age did, believing in God, country and family. With hard work and proper learning you could accomplish pretty much anything. My generation was openly against communism, Marxism and deep socialism, all of which restrict many freedoms and the ability to achieve. I joined the Navy to fight against communism and such.

Now though, in this day and age, there is much I do not understand.

1. We have a president who openly pushes deep socialism and many communist, Marxist ways. You don't have to take my word for it, just read what he has written and who his mentors were. Look at some of those who he associates with and appoints as czars who openly are communists.

2. We have organizations, like unions, who push many communist and socialistic ways such as redistribution of wealth.

3. We have other organizations like the AARP who push their members to complain about Medicare and Social Security changes, even though it might help future generations. And even though there hasn't been one bill proposed that would affect anyone over 55. I am getting tired of hearing, "I paid into it all of my life, leave it alone." I paid too, but it needs to be updated so it will be there for my grandkids and their children. The people who are complaining now are the same ones who when I grew up said they would take care of their children and future generations.

4. The country is about to go bankrupt, yet we have people saying, "Save the country, but don't take anything from me." Everyone needs to sacrifice, including seniors.

5. Many people now promote class envy, thinking that they are being compassionate. Take from the achievers and give to those who have less. Anyone with any common sense would know that this eliminates the desire to achieve. I don't care if you are a store clerk, carpenter, work for the union or became a CEO. That is your choice. If you are given what you need, from cradle to grave, like many countries in Europe, you pretty much eliminate choice, especially to achieve more.

6. Here's the one that has really been bugging me and I completely do not understand. As a compassionate country we try to help those in need and I don't begrudge those in need. In the last month, however, I witnessed two people in two different stores using their food stamp benefits. Later, I saw the same people at a casino pumping money into the machines. Shouldn't that money go to supporting and feeding their family? Are our tax dollars really supposed to pay for food stamps so people can furiously waste what they do have?

These are just a few of the things that I don't understand about our current government and people's mind-set.

A letter in The Press some time ago quoted a liberal RFK statement. I wondered why the writer didn't quote his brother, John F. Kennedy (1917-1963)'s Inaugural address, Jan. 20, 1961:

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

God Bless America, and what it stood for when I grew up. Hopefully, it will get back to those ways for our future generations.

WILLIAM J.

(Jim) BLAKE

USN Retired