In quite a few internet forums, I have encountered Americans who believe that its social assistance programs are rife with abuse. You are the first to explain otherwise. Like Canada, your article suggests that is not easy being on welfare in the USA. If one is able, one tends to find work rather than go on welfare. And many people go through a rough patch of some kind, find social assistance for a few months, and find their way back to self-reliance.

Welfare used to be a hot political topic in Canada. But no more. It seldom is an election issue. Social programs are better at finding the truly needy, and many Canadians just accept that some people are not ready for a 40-hour workweek.

We probably still have some abuse, with some people preferring a welfare income over a job. But maybe it is around 5%. And if they are in this state of mind, maybe they really aren’t ready for a 40 hour workweek.