Letter writer made strange word choice

I am curious about Scott Burnett's point, exactly, when he wrote ' … in common with the welfare queens the Republicans love to vilify - they can't wait to go to the mailbox to see if their ‘gummint' check is there.” ('Editorial cartoon was ‘near perfect,'” March 4.)

I agree the system from all sides seems broken, with injustice and insanity all around, but I cannot help but wonder at Burnett's use of the phrase 'gummint” check.

I worked for 45 years, and recently retired. Now I get a government check, thank god. I earned it. And I worked all those years to help provide for my fellow citizens that were not as able to work or blessed with work opportunities as I was. That's kind of the American Way.

Who exactly are these 'welfare queens” referred to by Burnett? Who is he referring to when he mispronounces the word government? Sounds so racist to me.

Joyce Dietzgen

Marion