i have no numbers, but i do have personal experience. i went to high school with plenty of kids who's parents were on welfare. some abused, some didn't, but the amount that did was alarming. specifically, i have friend, who i also went to high school with, who is now a cop in that city. she frequently goes into the slums/projects/whatever as her job requires it. she sees it every day. people living with full entertainment centers, driving luxury cars, and so on, stuff that i can't even afford, not if i want to pay my bills. i have an acquaintance that installs cable and frequently goes into similar areas, to install cable, of course. he sees it too, flat-panel widescreen TVs, the nice cars parked along the street, etc.

i don't think anyone would live in crime-ridden slums by choice. so that begs the question, where are they getting the money to purchase all these luxury items?

and by the way, this is in the good ole' democratic state of connecticut, and the place i speak of was bridgeport. the cable guy works in new haven, ct.

there is a problem, a big problem. you're a fool if you don't realize that. i'm not saying that we should abolish social programs, i never have. but something seriously needs to be done.

and reading DVPGSR's post, that hits home. that's _exactly_ the problem i've seen.