- Welfare is the name given to a set of interconnected programs aimed at low income families. Programs include job training and family planning. It also includes cash assistance. In 1994, whites made up 38 percent of all welfare recipients, blacks 37 percent and hispanics 17 percent.
- For the most part, welfare is a transient program. Recipients don't remain on the program forever. Fewer than 20 percent of all people on welfare remain on the program for less than seven months. Another 20 percent are on welfare for one to two years. Still, 27 percent remain on welfare for two to five years. Of all welfare recipients, 20 percent remain on welfare more than five years.
- There is a clear partisan line of proponents and opponents of welfare. Many liberal Democrats believe that blacks are disproportionately represented in welfare statistics because of social racism as well as racism that is inherit in America's legal system. Conservative Republicans argue that minorities are lazy and intellectually incapable of joining the workforce. This back and forth affects budget dollars that are allocated to welfare programs.
- Welfare programs were first introduced to America in the 1930s under the name Aide to Dependent Children. Many felt that this did not encourage the union of family and in the 1960s, the name was change to Aide to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC). In 1996, welfare was revamped by President Clinton and subsequently called Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). Among the features of the new plan was a limit to the benefit of five years.
- Business closures related the economic crisis of 2008 will significantly increase the number of Americans seeking welfare. This is the primary argument of legislators who want to bail out large companies before they fail. They want to keep Americans working to avoid paying them on the other end via welfare programs and other forms of government assistance. Blue collar workers argue that it is a case of concerns for Wall Street versus the concerns for Main Street. The workers, represented by Main Street, want to avoid the prospect of welfare.
Comments
yesimserious said
on 7/24/2009 He's stating that Conservative Republicans believe that welfare creates dependency. Based on the statistics about how long individuals remain on welfare, which he has provided and is verifiable should you do a little research (and "think on your own") you'll find is true, welfare does not create dependency. How about instead of believing the stereotype that most individuals on welfare are African American and have mercedes parked in front of their run-down homes, YOU do a little background research and try to think on your own. You're right; it does do wonders.
mojo35 said
on 3/9/2009 Are you serious? Where did you get this from?"Conservative Republicans argue that minorities are lazy and intellectually incapable of joining the workforce."I wish more people would do research and think instead of just believing the liberal media crap. The fact is, conservatives believe that welfare programs are bad for the african-american community and society as a whole. While it sounds "nice," the fact is welfare puts people in a cycle of poverty that is difficult to get out of, and creates a mindset that is not beneficial to those who collect welfare. It also discourages marriage, thus encouraging more kids being raised by a single parent. Try to think on your own, it does wonders.