They are not living luxurious life styles by any means. But they live a life-style that affords them to sit on their asses every day, play video games on DSL, and eat hot pockets endlessly off EBT. They would much rather stay doing that because it is easier than working hard to get an education or a skill that give them a shot at a career. Luxury has nothing to do with my point. And I don't agree with you that most are trying. From what I've seen, most either don't want to try because it is easier and "safer" to live on the government dole (those are the real shit bags) or have given up (and that is heartbreaking).

Do you work with these people though? My mother is a social worker for her county. She is heartbroken because every day people come to her that shouldn't have too. Those who choose to live on welfare only would do so no matter what the economic system is. They are willfully choosing to struggle their entire lives and own nothing. I am all for work programs and workshops being a requirement for assistance. If you want your assistance you must prove that you are doing everything within your power to better yourself. The reality is that corporate welfare, low minimum wages, and the extremely high costs of healthcare and education are far more important issues than taking money away from those who choose to abuse the system.

I do not work with them. And I will not pretend to have the level of experience that your mother has from working with them. However, I have patches of family on my side and my wife's side that I see a fair amount (family events and what not). I also have friends who grew up in households of social welfare. I would go over and stay the night at their houses and hear their parents talk at a very young age. My overall experience is that the vast majority of them have several common personality traits: 1. Feel sorry for themselves 2. Don't like to work hard physically or mentally 3. Give up easy 4. Really enjoy sedatary life styles 5. (MOST IMPORTANT) Love to complain about their condition to others but when talking amongst themselves love to brag about their government checks. My net income is above my state's average. But not by much. I do not make anywhere near six figures. But I get taxed like I make six figures (same bracket). Why? Because the federal government thinks I'm "rich". So I get taxed at the same percent as guys that pull in 100K plus even though I don't make close to that. Meanwhile, my sister-in law, my cousins, my best friend's mom and dad get checks for doing nothing based on how I'm taxed. When Obamacare dropped (my state funds it) I got zero assistance for healthcare via that program because my income was too high. I could have paid about $500 a month for just health care through Obamacare but would have had to go to a sub-par medical facility that heards people through like cattle. It's the only place in town that accepts the government insurance. Or, I could get insurance through work. Private insurance was $285 a month at my employer pre-Obamacare. After Obamacare dropped, prices skyrocketed. I now had to pay $630 a month for my family and that was with a very high deductible PPO (not cheap and not cool). So now, I'm in a bad way. Did I sit there and say "Thanks, Obama you jerk!"? No. I worked my butt off and got hired at a new company that offers a full HMO, Premium Dental, and Premium Vision plan for $30 dollars a month. I didn't like my circumstances so I worked to change them. All the government and taxes can do to me and all they do to me is hold me back and get in my way. I don't need their help. I choose to be independent. I choose to provide for my family. And barring things like serious injury, disabled veterans, mental disabilities, etc... I have very little remorse or sympathy for people on social welfare programs. My job is to take care of my family and me. Not them.