What are your views on Public Assistance?

I have often needed to be on benefits. I do think it is bad that people abuse the system and I believe that if it hadn't been abused so much that people such as myslef and my family wouldn't need it because taxes, etc. wouldn't be so high. Of course that's not the only reason but I do think it is a big one. I don't go out to work myself at the minute because I am raising my children. If I was a single parent, I would not see any reason not to use government assistance if it meant I could still look after my own children. However, I do have a partner who works full time but, because we are still on a low income, we still qualify for some help. The thing is, once my kids are old enough, I will be looking for work myself. There are people who, in my situation, would just have another baby or have no intention of ever working again and that is something I don't agree with. If people need the help, for whatever reason (assuming it's a genuine one) then that should not be anyone elses business. I'm sure there are a lot of people who have needed government assistance who never thought they would and many more who now look down on those who need it but will be the first in the queue as soon as they lose their job.