I was raised to live within my means.

I have multiple sclerosis and live on a small disability check. My husband has to cover most of our bills.

My friend is raising three children, also on a single paycheck, as a medical assistant. We have both been running our heat at 55 degrees for months, and ran out of oil. She is out of wood; we don’t have a wood stove. She struggles to keep up with the mortgage, insurance, taxes, etc. There is little left for food.

All we can do is eat together sometimes, and my husband cut some wood to try and keep her going until summer. Neither of us qualify for any assistance.

So why are our tax dollars helping people in other countries, and healthy people here who keep having babies and refuse to go to work?

Those of us who try so hard are getting nowhere.

The system is totally whacked and someone needs to start helping us.

Many families are cold and hungry in Livermore Falls, Maine.

Tammy Hemminger,

Livermore Falls