Why must seniors privacy be so grossly invaded

The touted $4 federal lunch program for seniors comes with a ridiculous list of requirements. Unlike any of our good restaurants, our senior citizens must make a reservation 48 hours before picking up their knife and fork. Adding to the silliness, exceeding any Marx Brothers sketch, seniors are chided with the warning, "ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST SIGN IN AT THE REGISTRATION TABLE PRIOR TO DINING."

No other eating establishment in Wheeling demands a signup sheet at the door the purpose of which is understood only by the likes of Alice in her Wonderland. But the ridiculousness goes on.

Seniors must also fill in a form requiring their gender, middle initial, marital status, ethnicity, race and the number of over-the-counter drugs taken each day.

Not invasive enough, the form further asks each senior how many beers, liquor or wine they drink. For home delivery lunches, seniors are required to say if they have problems with toileting.

You don't believe me? Ask to see a copy of their NapisPack Intake form.

Wheeling officials sidestep any responsibility claiming it's a federal matter. But whoever is at fault, it is still grossly inappropriate. The bureaucracy that designed this system must be staffed with the mentally deranged.

If asked if I have respect for government, I am leaning toward "Hell, no!" What has this country come to? A return of Nicholson's "Cuckoo's Nest?"

Jack Caldwell

Wheeling