I've made this point time and again, but it keeps getting glossed over, so I'm going to officially go on record with it this time:

I'm not anti-public assistance.  Far from it.  I'm an avid supporter of help being given where help is needed.  I've dontated time, money, and even the clothing off my back to help if i've thought that it's been needed.  I've never asked for recognition for it, I prefer to do my giving quietly, but today I was accused of having an attitude and begrudging people welfare money and public assitance, and that's just flat out not true.

What I am anti, however, is manipulation.  Manipulation of an already overworked system, manipulation by people who are perfectly happy to ride the gravy train for as long as they can, ESPECIALLY when I see people who really need the help getting short changed.  I will concede and say that not every person on benefits is like this, but I will not be told that every single person on welfare is using it as it was meant to be used, because I know that not to be the case.

Just wanted to clarify.