On Jan. 5, the state of Maine allocated $5 million for home heating assistance. I fully agree that people who honestly cannot afford their heating expenses should receive assistance. However, I have to wonder how many of these recipients will spend their winter in a home warmed by my tax dollars while their dollars pay for their cable TV, cell phones or Internet service.

I have no problem helping those who are truly in need, but shouldn’t we expect that people do everything in their power to provide for themselves, including cancellation of these less-vital expenses?

Don’t get me wrong. I see the value in TV, cell phones and Internet, but when hard times come, a person should be expected to forgo those things before they come to me (the taxpayer) for my money.

Frank Phillips, Auburn