Thoughts on Government Assistance Programs

There is some abuse and some gaming the system for sure, but I can assure you, their lives suck as a result. They are not living high on the hog, enjoying all their "free stuff".  The truth is they are limiting their entire life with the choices they are making. That's the punishment they deserve for their poor choices. 

Are we, in order to spite a few scumbags, to deprive those who need help to educate themselves and/or their children so they can have the opportunity to contribute to our communities and our economies and create a better life for themselves and their children?

Why on earth could we ever begin to consider to raise taxes on the poor and middle class, or consider cutting benefits or entitlement programs for the middle class, or aid for the poor, without first cutting the BILLIONS of dollars GIVEN to EXTREMELY WEALTHY corporations EVERY YEAR in the form of TAX SUBSIDIES?  Does that really reflect our values as Americans?