My story is not unique. Many middle class families have lived similar lives. My parents had jobs and payroll taxes were deducted from their paychecks to support Social Security. They also had health insurance and pension plans through their employers. Throughout their lives, they bought U.S. Savings Bonds and also saved in other ways. They bought only what they could afford without credit cards. When my dad died at 58 years, my mom received widows' benefits. Because of their hard work and good financial planning, they paid their own way.
This typical story helps explain why the middle class feels that everyone should work and pay for what they need. They feel that if someone really wants to work, they can find a job. They don't feel the government should support people who won't work. When the government supports the non-working, the incentive to find a job is greatly reduced, and the family grows to depend on welfare.
Of course there is sympathy for those who temporarily receive unemployment benefits. This sympathy does not extend to those who choose to have more children than they can afford or to those who spend many years of their lives expecting the government to foot their bills.
We in the middle expect all Americans to have our work ethic, be responsible, and pay their own way.
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