Is welfare really lazy?

In a debate on welfare it is common to hear the argument that welfare makes Americans lazy; why work when you can get money for free? When I was younger I agreed with this argument thinking a good majority of people on welfare were lazy. That was my opinion when my father was paying for my schooling, apartment, cell phone and more. Now I am married to a full time student with a child and I wonder, are people on welfare really lazy or are they smart?

Along with the end of my four-year college education, insurance ended, thus the dreadful insurance search began.  Never before looking at an insurance plan, I naively thought it would cost around 40 dollars a month. To my surprise, the cheapest plan out there was around 100 dollars. This plan only covered six visits to the doctors' office a year and it helped pay for prescriptions. It did not cover dental or eye care.  

With my limited budget, I realized there was no way we could afford even the most basic insurance plan. If I qualified for Medicaid I would get dental and eye care, prescriptions and as many doctor visits needed. With my seven dollar an hour job, 20 hours a week I figured I would qualify for Medicaid.

"Your too rich," the Medicaid agent replied as I handed him my application. My job made me too rich for Medicaid. I have been uninsured for about six months now.

Welfare, is it lazy or smart?

Food stamps sound like a dream when a monthly budget for food is between 150 and 200 dollars and prices rise and rise. With all the regular expenses, rent, gas, a baby, along with our small income, food stamps were sure to be given.

Once again, I make too much money for food stamps. This means if I quit my job a a checker at the local grocery store and stayed home with my baby, my food budget would double and I would be fully insured. Work and have no money, or quit, get on welfare and have more.

I'll leave it up to you.