Those are certainly interesting observations, however the skeptic (Scientist? Rationalist?) in me immediately wants to ask "What percentage of the welfare recie

Those are certainly interesting observations, however the skeptic (Scientist? Rationalist?) in me immediately wants to ask "What percentage of the welfare recieving population is made up by those abusers?" and "Would people take notice or be able to notice those times when these benefits are used as intended?" Without some kind of answer to those questions, and probably others, the observations of you and those you know can't (well, shouldn't IMO) be used on their own as an argument against these welfare programs.