It's for the children...and because of health care?

About an hour ago, I was of the mind that welfare is a necessary evil. Let me explain.

This summer, I worked fifty hour weeks. And found time to spend with my family, help my grandparents with flood recovery, volunteer, have a social life, and, yes, I even slept adequate amounts. Most of the time. When my parents were growing up, they were similar to me; they both helped out on farms, had jobs, and understood that if you want something, you have to work. As in have a job.

I'm a big believer in work ethic. So, even though I don't want the poor to be suffering, I had slight feelings of misgiving when there are people taking unemployment. There is no shame in having a job if you are providing for those that you care about. I know work isn't an option for everyone. I know that minimum wage isn't enough money to live on. However, I have the firm belief that if you are going to take help from the government, you better be contributing to our communities in some way. And on top of all of these thoughts, I can't not condone a program that helps feed children. 

So an hour ago, I was more concerned that the people on welfare put more effort into giving back to the people and communities that are giving to them than I was concerned about the environment that may have put them in a situation where they needed assistance. Basically, my viewpoint changed when I watched a video that my sister linked me, which coincidentally is on the Scholar's Facebook page. And I got mad at what our government isn't doing for us in regards to healthcare.

I am overwhelmingly upset about how high healthcare is in the United States, which was put into perspective quite nicely by the video. I can apply it personally, or to a hypothetical case, and be equally apalled. What would my knee injuries have cost if I didn't live in America? And what of that hypothetical family that is in need of help because their child has a medical issue that they can't afford? That's not their fault. It isn't their fault that healthcare is unnecessarily high, and it definitely isn't their fault that their child is sick.

My new opinion: If you are on welfare because healthcare is too damn high, you can have my taxes. You deserve them. If you are on welfare because you don't have good work ethic, shame on you because there are people who need the resources that you are using. And...if you are on welfare and you have children, take care of your children and teach them how to live a life where they can give back to those who have helped them. Become contributing members of society. Whatever you do, just please don't use resources that others need.