So my Republican Dad says, "Half the country is on some government entitlement program...."

[newthinking]

57. "What's left are mostly people who do get something for nothing, something that most don't get."

hmm... Seems I have heard that logic before. And it simply is not true as a whole.

There are always people who take advantage and there will always be inneficiencies in any programs, especially when we create and manage them in such a divided country.

But I don't expect you to agree.

I don't resent poor people who "use" the system. I don't get angry about it. What I want is not revenge or self satisfaction, I just prefer that the system be fixed when there are serious abuses.

Let me ask you to think about this... why do these people deserve the scorn I see in your post? It is a far easier life if one is fortunate, gifted, whatever you want to call it, and makes enough for their labor not to have to resort to using welfare. Nobody in their right mind, who knows better and who has "opportunity" (believes enough in their capabilities in their mind or reality), not to be poor has to be somewhat out of it to "choose" that life. Working, when it pays enough to take care of the bills, is far the EASIER! They are already paying their penance in lost potential.

Why feel scorn for the homeless or welfare person that is so beat down they can't get it together?

The entire idea that there are a mass of people that would choose that life if they believed in themselves or were not beaten down somewhere in the process is just not reality. I am sorry you chose to believe that about your fellows.