Barbeque Man - I volunteer as a Salvation Army bell ringer during the Christmas holiday season. I do other volunteer work during some of my free time as a Villager. I retired from the Federal government after 36 years of work (helping veterans) at the Department of Veterans Affairs - and a few years in the Army. I do not work for money anymore. This is not bragging about myself at all. I feel very blessed by God to have done this and to be able to help others now - as well as to play golf.

How long should someone get unemployment benefits? I don't have an answer.

Is it right to punish children by cutting off their free lunches or hot breakfast programs by stalling votes in Congress? My answer is a resounding NO.

Maybe benefits should be linked to training programs as in the axiom, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him a lifetime."