GENESEE COUNTY, Michigan -- Most readers who commented on a Flint Journal story about cash assistance benefits ending for an estimated 1,500 families in the county say they support the tougher rules.

Here are some of the comments posted so far:

From acrosstheoceannow: "Its okay with me for people to get foodstamps / bridgecard. Most people use this for good to put food on the table. We should not give them cash, I agree with a comment made about that. It bothers me the stream of selfish cruelty that is running in our country now. That people with no health insurance should just be sick or that folks on welfare aid programs are all bad people. As a civilized free nation we must have this social safety net in place. But I do agree it needs reform. For example if you get pregnant, have a child and get on WIC that's fine. You get help to feed and house baby. But it stops there. You have to agree to NOT HAVE ANY MORE CHILDREN unless you can support them yourself. And it should go the same for men who impregnate women and have no means to take care of the babies they create. We should reform our welfare programs to prevent generational parasitic dependence. But we should not punish poor and disabled people who need and rely on help."



* From

: "I thought it was made law a long time ago that welfare would only pay for the kids a woman had when she signed up. They are still supporting her for having more??? That's the govt's fault. if the 4-year rule was in law under granholm, then many of them knew it was coming. when the gov't allowed for an extension for certain cases how many women delayed seeking other ways of support. On the other hand, Snyder couldnt have enforced this at a worse time: right when winter is about to set in; when there is a bad economy! He should never be allowed to put people on the streets during those times. At the same time, those who wait til the last minute to make preparations and then holler unfair brought the problem on themselves. I agree that welfare needs to be reformed, but it must be done in a manner that is humane and fair to all. Yes the fathers need to own up. They cant do it in jail. When there are few jobs to be had, it's hard to support a family even if the father isnt in jail. NO ONE under the age of 16 or age 60 + should be put in the street!"

* From

: " 'Although the four-year limit was first signed into law in 2006 by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm' Hmmm where was the outrage then, I dont remember any bleeding heart Journal storys."

* From

: "It looks like the state is forcing life-long welfare recipients to make changes in their lives to make them self-sufficient assets to society instead of being life-long drains on society. What's wrong with that? Not all the taxpayers in this state are rich like you lampooned in your post. The vast majority are working people like me, paying their taxes, who are tired of carrying the life-long welfare receivers. I drive a 10 year old American car that's a little rusty, not a Mercedes. I own a small modest house and I don't own any property up north because I can't afford it. The state has run out of money and I applaud Governor Snyder for capping welfare benefits instead of raising taxes to pay for these people not to work and continue the life-long welfare lifestyle."

* From

: "I guess it's OK to just indiscriminately cut families since there are an abundance of full time jobs in Flint. I don't like my tax dollars going to support welfare any more then the next guy, but I say they should go after the people that are ripping off the system first. Like the drug addicts, people falsifying income and business and professional services. The ones profiting from having more children are the ones getting unneeded Social Security Disability. Why do you think there are so many "disability Lawyers" advertizing in the media, disability for depression and fake headaches then of course all their children have "learning disorders". Of course that is Federal dollars, but still your taxes. There are a lot more financially secure people ripping of the system then you can imagine. By the way I'm a single Father that barley makes it through the month and furious seeing lazy healthy people living around me living a good life off the taxpayers, but this indiscriminate action is wrong."