As a retired U.S. Marine and retired public school teacher, I am darn proud of my entitlement checks. In response to a recent letter to the editor, I offer some historical enlightenment to what I find to be confused social frustrations. With a minimal volume of research, one will understand that "The Great Depression" was the precipitant to a range of social entitlement/stimulus programs such as the Social Security Administration, Works Progress Administration, Public Works Administration, Civilian Conservation Corps, NYA, Tennessee Valley Authority and more. I strongly believe that President Roosevelt's compromise prevented what would have been a "real" revolution in America in 1934. If you recall the Bonus Army's March on Washington, you will understand what millions of combat veterans might do when their elected government preaches a trickle-down theory and does not deliver. What Republican President Herbert Hoover never understood was that millions of hardworking Americans wanted to work and the Depression was not their fault! The Civilian Conservation Corps gave my father hope and a chance before he fought for his country in World War II.

Bringing about an economic depression will not advance a few "selective" Christian values. History teaches us that when economic injustice prevails, hardworking Americans are entitled to fight back.

James Sargent

Bellingham