What People are Saying...

In response to August column, "The Most Dangerous Word in the English Language.".

August 10, 2011
Dear Mr. Herman,
My husband just read your article in the Uptight Suburbanite and insisted that I also read it. You are so right on, why don't most of the sheep get it?

Will you please email your article to me, so I can forward it to everyone I know.

Thanks in advance,
Maryellen Wittick

August 11, 2011
Hi Allen,
I agree with your article and I believe that you should send it to every congressman and senator.
It would be a good idea to pass it on to the President and to Oprah.

Well done!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gail Stein

August 11, 2011
Allen Herman:
Great article. You summed up the problem perfectly.

I will be passing it on, but you can't get liberals to understand. "They are too smart."

Thank You!
L.J. McHugh, Warminster

August 12, 2011
Dear Allen,
I would nominate FEAR as the most dangerous word in our vocabulary. Since 9/11 our country has been manipulated into
a state of fear which effects much of our decision making.

I agree with you that there are too many people taking advantage of programs designed to help those in real need.

Thanks!
Pat Myers

August 13, 2011
Mr. Herman,
You said it so well in your article about the most dangerous word in the English language. Thanks for telling it like it is.
Gail D.

August 15, 2011
The article written about entitlements is right on. Since when is the money we worked for and paid into Social Security considered an entitlement? If I put my hand in your pocket and grabbed your money that would be stealing and I would go to jail. You are dead right in saying we seniors are OWED the money that we SAVED and not let anyone steal it. I do not understand why there is not a class action suit against Congress.

Nick Burdumi

August 15, 2011
I can only imagine the amount of emails/letters your magazine received in response to Allen Herman's article naming "Entitlement" as the "most dangerous word in the English language." Although Mr. Herman was on point regarding people speaking with their own teleprompters, he missed the mark on the majority of his rant. Even one of those California "thugs" could have surmised by the last sentence that Mr. Herman is among those Americans that are "Entitled" to tax breaks and benefits of the wealthy. It just goes to show how even the "educated" can be stupid. Maybe the most dangerous word should be "Hypocrite."

As for Who? and Why? Who am I? I am one of the thousands of unemployed entitled (oh, excuse me, owed) unemployment compensation. Why? Because people like Mr. Herman either are selling jobs overseas or hiring employees at minimum wage.
JMT

The following are excerpts from Allen Herman's response...
I will tell you directly that your letter is the most upsetting that I have received in all the years we have ever published any form of magazine.

How DARE you assume that I am "selling jobs overseas or hiring employees at minimum wage." I drive American cars, buy American products and do everything I can to support and insure the prosperity of this nation.

As a silly illustration, I only purchase orange juice and apple juice from America! Up until eleven years ago, I was a partner in an AMERICAN factory that employed AMERICAN workers. I have always paid well, assisted the people who work with me, and outside of work (I've) been very charitable to people in need. Point blank, I care about this country and its people. If you read my articles every month you should be aware of this fact. And I get infuriated when people such as you who disagree with my view choose slander rather than discussion.

By the way, I pay my taxes.... every last dollar and have always done so! I think the entire tax structure is rotten to the core. (But) it won't change because all too many who complain still want "good breaks and benefits" for themselves.

........ I am sorry you are unemployed. I mean this sincerely. I have been in this boat more than once and it sucks! Believe it or not, I started this magazine at the age of 66 because I couldn't get a job... and despite your "nonsense," I needed one!

.........By the way..... what do you drive? Are you active in politics? Do you vote in every election? Note that I accuse you of nothing. I simply asked the questions.

.......And as a final note, the taxes and the breaks, etc., that I agree we face were put in place by Congresses that were elected by the majority of Americans, not just the rich. If the government is corrupt and stinks, blame the middle class and the poor, as well as the rich, for putting the scoundrels in, and re-electing them to office. The "rich" may purchase government, but WE stupid Americans keep voting the purchased back in.

One thing we both agree on, I ASSUME, is that even the educated can be stupid.... and self righteous. Perhaps you are right. Maybe the most dangerous word should be "Hypocrite."

August 15, 2011
Allen,
Bravo for coming out and telling it like it is in your magazine.

I hate our entitlement society. It has and will continue to get us into all kinds of financial, emotional and spiritual trouble.
Views like ours are not very popular in this neck of the woods, have you noticed? I'm curious – are you getting many negative replies to your article?

Sandy Gerger

Sandy,
I guess what shocks me most is some people's ability to read an entire article and notice just one sentence to respond to. To be honest, 93 percent, so far, approve of what I wrote. I only wish one hundred percent approved of my freedom to say what I wish.

August 16, 2011
Finally a voice of reason! I'd like to commend Mr. Herman on his to-the-point, common sense article. His thoughts echo mine and other thinking Americans.

Other "entitlements" that should be abolished are the Earned Income Credits and Child Care Credits on income tax. These
credits enable many to escape paying any income tax and often sends a refund even though they have paid no tax into the system
Walt Manning

August 23, 2011
Re: Music of Our Lives, August issue
Ron:
I caught and really enjoyed your second article on Wales. I grew up in Cwmbran Wales and it brought back so many good memories. Also, my great grandmother, Elizabeth Morgan, was a midwife and worked with Dr. Price, so I have seen his statue in Pontypridd and know quite a bit of his history. I look forward to the next installment.

Regards,
Yvonne Worsdell Zurmahl

August 29, 2011
I like the Uptight Suburbanite but hope you tweak future editorial as follows:
The reason for my suggestion: many of us in the local "community" you serve, are over-saturated with political rhetoric in traditional media 24/7/365... it is expected there, and sometimes we participate gladly.... but I don't think we really expect it from our "community" media.... most of us anyway (my opinion).

So here's hoping in the future you'll stick with "lighter" content, to divert us from all the partisan politics (both sides do it) so prevalent in all our lives already.

Otherwise, thanks for the service (the) Uptight Suburbanite provides to us your readers and advertisers alike.

Al K.
Churchville, PA