Enough already! The Monday, Feb. 6, Coeur d'Alene Press article by staff writer Alecia Warren should have had a different title. Instead of "The Cost of Marriage," maybe it should have been titled "The Cost to the Taxpayers!"

I am sure the Browns have their problems, both being unemployed and with medical issues. So do many other people in this country, but they are not draining our SSI.

Over the years I have heard of the many abuses of our Social Security system. The Browns are a good example of the dredge on the system. I have heard of people who claim to be drug addicts, alcoholics and even prisoners serving time in the penitentiary who are collecting Social Security insurance monthly disability payments.

According to staff writer Warren, Trina Brown is receiving coverage for medication for her "bipolar disorder" and for "high blood pressure" to the tune of $674 per month plus $200-275 a month for food stamps. Her new husband Alex is also on SSI disability and is also her "certified caregiver," collects $698 each month plus food stamps as well. So prior to their "marriage" they were receiving approximately $1,772 per month. This of course does not include the free medical coverage they get.

I don't know if Alex is getting paid for his duties as a "certified caregiver" or not, but shouldn't his SSI be discontinued if this is so? Now, I have high blood pressure - guess I need to go to my doctor whom I pay for out of my own pocket!

I am sure there are plenty of people in Kootenai County that would love to have that sort of income for not working. I am sure that The Press and staff writer Warren were attempting to draw sympathy from the readers. It did just the opposite for me; it made me angry that there are still people out there sucking the system dry! This story is a prime example of why the Social Security system is broken! I wanted to thank The Press for bringing it to the attention of the readers!

CRAIG KERWIN

Hayden