Please, George Wandell, tell me that your letter “Let’s eliminate unproductives” (March 9, TribLIVE) was simply tongue-in-cheek and not a serious opinion. Surely you jest.

Do you not know others in their 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond who are still making meaningful contributions to their communities? I cannot imagine how libraries, hospitals, schools, churches, Meals On Wheels, food banks and other organizations would be able to accomplish their worthwhile efforts without volunteers . Many continue to work well beyond retirement age, some in whole new careers. At 75, I became a self-published writer of inspirational nonfiction books that have helped others.

If you target the elderly, what group would you go after next? The physically disabled? The mentally challenged? How about those who lose their jobs? How many weeks or perhaps days would they be given to find a new one? No doubt you also have the homeless and addicted firmly in your sights. Would you ferret out the young people who live in their parents’ basements and do nothing but play computer games?

How would you decide who stays and who goes? Where could you find people who would back up this theory? Sounds to me like previous events in history when people have been destroyed because of beliefs, ethnicity, etc. Is this what you want?

Last question: Since you have continued to enjoy life 30 years past what you deem as productive years, if this is such a disservice to mankind, why are you still here?

Patricia Slye

North Huntingdon

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