Robert Lawson

Have you ever thought of vacationing in Hawaii and not coming back? Should you decide to do this and be unable to find a job, never fear - you can fare well on welfare. In Hawaii, 88.8 percent of the 'poor' collect welfare benefits rather than seek work--a higher percentage than any other state. Why? Hawaiians can draw up to $664 weekly ($34,528 annually) on a permanent vacation or work for average local wages and earn $476 weekly ($24,752 annually.) Which would you choose? The 'poor' do make rational economic decisions in deciding whether or not to seek work. The success of 'workfare' programs bears this out.