By Patrick J. Miller | Observer Contributor
I am a college student. You can usually spot me in the library working on some paper while listening to music. You may also catch me in my regular history class, front row. I maintained a passing GPA and have a vested interest in History/Political Science. And finally, I want to become a history professor in my future. But there may be one thing that might inhibit me from fulfilling this dream: I have used government benefits to live my life.
Now before any of you out me for being a leach, I want to explain my stance. I was born poor. I’ve been relatively poor for what amounts to my entire life. My mother was shut out of work for years due to the sinful act of having to raise two kids who were born with a genetic defect known as cystic fibrosis. We needed those benefits to keep a roof over our heads, to put clothes on our backs, and put food on the table. If we didn’t have those benefits, then let’s just say that I wouldn’t be here writing to you about these benefits.