I have friends who work in local businesses that used to have unions. Now, the companies are downsizing and hiring temporary workers to avoid paying benefits.

President Barack Obama wants to create more jobs in America, but how can jobs be created when companies are trying to save money be laying off workers who are more than 50 years old and replacing them with temporary workers?

Friends of mine are scared about going to work because they might be replaced by those temporary workers.

It is just wrong that people who work for years for a company are being laid off, replaced by temporary workers.

I know there is an economic crisis. Unemployment in some states is more than 10 percent, but discrimination against older workers should stop. Government agencies should act to make sure that everyone is treated fairly and equally. Not hiring older workers is discrimination fueled by corporate greed.

The hardworking Maine people are the best in the Northeast and should not be discriminated against because of age.

Reggie Bechard, Lewiston