Recently I have been participating in The Bellingham Herald's online polling questionnaires found in the "Opinion" section of the web-site (which I very much enjoy). The other day there was a question regarding participants' employment status and I was shocked to find that 37 percent of those responding were unemployed.

If there was ever reason to re-examine the path upon which we are now traveling, I know not what it is. If we have such a large percentage of opinion page readers unemployed (most of whom I am sure are reasonably intelligent, educated and conversant in the English language), it says in a loud and unmistakable voice that there is a large talent pool currently being wasted in Bellingham and the surrounding county.

Assuming many of these folks are receiving some sort of government assistance to keep soul and body together, I ask: is what we are doing on the grand scale smart or even right?

Currently, I find myself included in that 37 percent and receiving benefits, and I'm not happy about the situation.

Konrad Lau

Sedro-Woolley