[cicy33]

I think that the couple deserved what they got. that was horrible.
I also felt the urge to respond to the other posts. I personally have been on public aid in my life. When I was 18 my baby was about 1 month old and her dad and I split. I had no one, no education, no drivers license, etc. When I was 19 I finally found a job that I could afford to pay the babysitter and still make enough to take care of her. In Arkansas back then (20 yrs ago) aid was 157 a month cash and usually about the same food stamps. that was with no income! I was on aid off and on until she was 5. I went to school, got a drivers license and slowly worked myself until I no longer needed it. There are bad people no matter where you look. It is so easy to say that all people on aid buy beer and cigs and drugs, but I didn't buy any of that stuff. still don't. It is a hard life and it sucks. Aid is there to assist not to get rich. I also know people that pay their bills with drug money and yet no one seems to worry about them cuz they aren't on aid. My point is that while there are lots of people that abuse the system there are so many more that just need some help. And are really trying to get out of the trap. When I was 22 I was working at mcdonalds part time and on aid. my child was 5. I found a job at a local plant nursery paying pretty good and full time. I called my case worker and she told me: but if you take this job you will lose your benefits! I told her that was the point. Now, I did keep the medical card for my daughter for a long time cuz that is according to income. Now they call it kid care here. I felt that proper medical care was more important than my pride. so try to realize that there are always going to be people that abuse the system one way or another and not all people on aid are druggies or bad parents. some of us were just trying to get to a better life.