[Mrs. Don-o]

I certainly agree with the churches and private philanthropies taking over the support of the poor and unemployed: chronic public dependency is a bad thing all around, for everybody.

We're in agreement on that. The matter we disagree on, is whether there should be the threat of of disabling the recipient.

Physical maiming should not be an alternative. It is immoral because it is treating this person as a dog to be spayed. It would be better to have public works employment at minimum wage --- streets still need to be swept after all, and restrooms cleaned --- than to force people to be surgically maimed.

A more acceptable solution would be time limits on benefits and work requirements. Back in the '90, thousands and thousands were taken off the welfare rolls because of strict time limits and the need to document disability.

[metmom]

Sorry if I left the impression that I supported sterilization. That doesn’t allow for someone to change.

That said, I support drug testing for welfare recipients and much more accountability. This business of handing them free money and giving them free rein.

I lived in a welfare town for 18 LONG years and saw all the abuses of it. They are handed everything, scam the system, and whine about how bad they have it. It sickens me. I HATE welfare and the whole program should be defunded.