text: question for those opposed to welfare programs? i understand and agree that people should not have a free ride and that there are abuses of the system. but not everyone on welfare is a bum.  are you in favor or programs that would provide educational assistance towards associate and bachelor-degree programs, low-cost childcare and transportation assistance?  if you hate welfare programs, are you in support of programs that will help parents get to a level of self-sufficiency?  what types of programs should be there for parents who do not have the mental or intellectual ability to continue education, or live in a rural area where there is no public transportation and they do not drive? there are programs that offer education help and child care assistance and travel assistance.  the thing about welfare is that if the people who used it didn't abuse it and honestly used it to get back on their feet then it wouldn't be an issue.  i was on cash aid and food stamps after i left an abusive relationship.  i was a single mom of a 7 year old with one on the way and moved from va to ca to get away from the most eveil man i have ever met.  i had always said that welfare is bad and should be abolished until i needed it and was grateful that it was there.  i did exactly what i was suppose to do: they make you attend classes and help you find a job.  i stayed on the assistance long enough to get back on my feet then i cut the benefits off (only about a year).  my case worker said that even though they have tons of rules and regulations and safe guards there are still people who abuse the system which makes it hard or impossible for the people who actually need it to get it.  i don't think its fair to just say that our government is gonna cut everyone off and no assistance at all because there are people who don't use it right.  my dads girlfriend is in england and on all types of welfare and every assistance you can image yet she doesn't work and just lives of my dad who is here in the states - now that is wrong!!  i wonder what all the people who are totally against welfare would do if they came to a point in their lives when everything gets turned upside down and they have to do what they have to to feed their children and provide a roof over their head.  would they take the assistance they have so admittly said they hate or would let their kids starve?  you just dont know until something like that happens.  3 years ago, i would never had thought i'd be in a position to need assistance but it helped me get a job (and paid for daycare until i could afford it)  here in ca, if you arent disabled and can work you have to have at least 32 hours a week of some sort of work related education/job search/work etc.  i wonder how these people can abuse the system - even though i was doing everything they asked and more they were on me so very hard... wanted pay stubs and updates from my boss.  all that made me work even harder to get to a point when i could just live and not worry about handing in my pay stubs to them everyt other month.  to all those people who say its time for men to step up and take care of kids and for women to stop having kids they cant afford: nice theory but reality is some men will continue to make promises and support their family then leave (or become an abusive jerk), women will get pregnant by those guys, we will make a bad decision that put us in the most unwanted of situations regardless if welfare is around or not.