I am not a student at K-State, but I am a member of the Manhattan community and a fan of the Collegian. Reading Jillian Aramowicz’s Nov. 4 column about the abuse of welfare lit a fire under me. I am not writing this against her opinion but in favor. I am pleased to know others have the courage to speak out on this serious topic.
More people abuse the system than we realize and the blame lies on both sides: first, the lazy people who work harder at getting a bigger welfare check than at working at a real job; and second, the government, which doesn’t look into these situations which are usually fabricated — it just sends a check.
There are jobs everywhere. McDonald’s is always hiring and any paycheck not only pays the bills, but also makes you a respectable citizen working and trying to better yourself along with supporting yourself and your family. It amazes me – the friends and family I have seen abuse the system firsthand and accept bigger welfare checks than my own income just for sitting on their butts and having baby after baby. Turning these people in does no good when the government would rather look the other way than address the issues. I’ve seen it happen.
I look forward to the day more people have the courage to speak out as Aramowicz has and address this issue that is more serious than anyone realizes. I completely agree with the experiment to stop these welfare checks, even for six months, and make these people go to work or back to school to better themselves.
Maybe the worst part is I’ve already seen the next generation believe this is an acceptable way to live and begin doing it themselves, not knowing any better. I hope for the day more people address these issues in politics, raise awareness and actively put an end to the assistance government hands out. I wouldn’t worry about any hate mail you receive — I’m positive most of it will be from those living off the government.