I have seen certain "families" share kids when the social workers come around to check on them, in order to meet the head count. There was a girl that held my job before I was hired. She on welfare. Yet she was driving a brand new car (including an hour each way commute), holding a government job, had her education payed for fully by the gov't, and bragged about how she had it made all the time. She was over 18, making her an adult.
I have seen people at the grocery store buy a bunch of food, all of it name-brand, pay nothing for it by using a food stamp card, and walk out to thier brand new Lexus.
THAT is screwed up, and I see that kind of stuff every damn day. DROP THE WELFARE!
No, don't do that. Make them keep records of all income earned and all money spent. If their paycheck is coming in, and it is all being spent on food, heat, housing, etc, help them. If it is coming in and being spent on computers, TV's, extravagent cars, etc, then tell them to cut out the glut before they get help.
I know a few people on both sides. One was a guy going to college, co-oping at an aerospace engineering company. Purposefully worked only a certain amount of hours to recieve federal aid, welfare and food stamps. Had two planned kids, wife also went to college full time on a degree she had no plans on using, so they had free childcare. In less than 6 months, somehow afforded a $3000 computer, PS3, XBox 360 and Wii, brand new TV top play them on, and random useless toys.
I also know a few people who live pretty poorly (not college kids, older peopel with families working retail or shop jobs). In my opinion, they could use aid, and at times they do. However, the majority of the time they understand they are poor, they know there is aid when tehy need it, and only use it when necessary.
I have no problem helping the people in the second case. I have a lot of problems with helping the first.