I just hate how stories get traction bc they talk about how someone fell on tough times, had to get government assistance, and after a while got back on their feet and got back off of welfare. that is the whole point of it and is exactly what it is for. what people get irritated about is not stories like this, but stories of generational deadbeats who want a handout from cradle to grave.
Problem is too many folks judge others based on appearances or preconceived notions in general or both. Most people just make assumptions. Well, when we assume...They have plenty of advice until they find themselves in a similar situation and then find that they are the proverbial exception to the rule.
I've been there. Stood in the unemployment line, signed up for food stamps, picked up wic, took educational grants, helped my wife sign up for disability when she literally could barely get up out of bed (thank God, she is a fair amount better now), worked my backside off on 2-3 jobs while going to school full time and raising special needs children. Got my Master's that way. I think I'm a pretty humble guy and usually get embarrassed if someone brings attention to me for it, but you better believe I'm pretty darn proud of that one. Still hard to mentally and emotionally shake off the stigma at times, especially since when I'd see good steak on sale for the same price/lb as a roast or cheap steak I'd go for it. That's being smart with your resources, IMHO, but some would say I was a great example of waste in the system.
So, while I want to slap people when they say people on welfare are lazy, I also want to slap the people that make it too easy to think that. I also can't stand folks who want to have the government drug test recipients of welfare and then cry about their own civil liberties being infringed and government waste.
I personally detest welfare, but consider it a necessary evil that saved my butt and offered me and my family an opportunity to change our lives for the better. I don't begrudge anyone for using it when they need it so long as they, if able, are working to leave it one day. I do begrudge politicians and policies that make that journey more difficult.