Many people in Lewiston feel the way I do but are afraid of reprisals from the foreign nationals.

People in Maine are upset because they feel they are being discriminated against. I think immigrants come to Lewiston because of the welfare system. Everything is free, including translators. Do not forget housing.

My parents came from Canada, as others did. They were not given opportunities like today’s foreigners. Many worked in shoe shops or textile mills at low wages for a 40- to 50-hour work week. They had pride and a good work ethic. General assistance was not available. English was learned on the job or through conversation.

Foreigners are treated better than the Vietnam veterans, but don’t forget what happened in “Black Hawk Down.” The treatment those soldiers got was simply barbaric.

Taxpayers of Lewiston might feel differently about foreigners if they did not depend on our generosity. Some changes must be made at the government level if the deficit is going to be lowered.

Taxpayers do not mind paying their share, but they object to giving everything on a silver platter to those who make no attempts to better themselves because the welfare system makes them live better than those who work.

Brian Whitten, Lewiston