I apologize for the typo. Should read, "...difference...often boils down..." Robert, perhaps you remember that Welfare reform signed into law by President Clinton ultimately reduced welfare rolls by a huge fraction AND reduced the poverty rate at the same time. It's not a matter of "You're on your own...lazy bums." It's about removing the perverse incentives that block even ambitious people from helping themselves, incentives that discourage marriage, work and saving, and encourage out-of-wedlock pregnancy by rewarding it with increased welfare checks. I hope you're proud of your ability to "get it."