A gray-haired old woman was preparing to enter a bus at 9th and L Streets; she was large and somewhat crippled. Her arms were loaded with packages. As the bus door opened, a man waiting behind her offered a helping hand. The old lady smiled but shook her head. “I’d best manage alone,” she said. “If I get help today… I’ll want it tomorrow.” My admiration for her grew, and suddenly I knew she had in one clear sentence summed up the welfare tragedy.
— from the Sacramento Journal
