Welfare Abuse

Re “Time Is Running Out for Thousands on Welfare,” April 20: Fortunately, there are few other countries in the world where we would read about a 38-year-old single mother of four who claims she “never worked a day in my life.” Then, in spite of being given employment in 1999, she chose to quit and return to collecting welfare.

For too long have we fanned the flames of indolence by paying the able-bodied for doing nothing except bearing children. Welfare’s original intent of helping people who needed it until they could get back on their feet will now become unavailable to those who would not have abused it.

Francesca Gard

Long Beach