Oh, I should add that he said “you” instead of “we” is because Franklin at that point was over 80 years old and did not expect to live long enough to help defend the founding of the new nation.
My family was on welfare so I can speak from experience. It is a debilitating, humiliating thing that turns you into a a slug. It robs people of their dignity and there ability to hope. We got off as soon as possible but it damages the soul. Best to make poor people work—then at least they would have some pride in what they do. Yes, they would gripe but they would develop a sense of self worth and human value. No wonder people in this role seek numbness in drugs and booze!