About Welfare Statistics
The duty of government has been a controversial topic in America since its inception. Programs like welfare are constantly scrutinized for their purpose and efficiency. The real numbers associated with welfare programs are unknown to many on both sides of the issue. Emotional responses often get in the way of an analysis of true welfare statistics.
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Identification
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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.
Effects
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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 more 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.
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Considerations
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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.
History
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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 changed 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.
Theories/Speculation
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Business closures related to 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.
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Resources
- Photo Credit the homeless image by Yuriy Rozanov from Fotolia.com
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Comments
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Conservatives DO NOT believe "that black are lazy and intellectually incapable of joining the workforce." We believe that many have been entrapped in the system and can not get out. We also believe that others have been taught by the government to remain on these benefits out of fear of not being able to make it on their own... This quote is a hack job... it is NONFACTUAL. We believe that each person has the intellect and the ability as well as the desire to better themselves. Some of us believe that the programs are set up to retain people as dependents because IF they do attempt to find employment and their income goes up, they're immediately dropped ( or shortly there after) from the programs, thereby causing them to fall back into dispair. We believe that the system needs to be changed. I for one believe that there should be a gradual withdrawal over a period of time from the benefits so that the recipients can gain positive and sure footing to proceed and prosper. There is racism and when a system is set up so that the players are made to be dependent upon that system or find themselves in jeopardy, it is an outright dishonor to them as a human and it is an insult to their innate abilities. Why is it that despite the "assistance" ( voluntary enslavement IMHO) too many of the disproportionate blacks and minorities DO remain on welfare for 5 or more years, if the program is truly designed to give them a hand up instead of a hand out?
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I have a brother ( a pastor and driver/owner of a trucking business, I guess it is one truck that he drives and loads, i.e. steel for manufacturing businesses, with a wife who has taught for years, retired..then went back to work at a private school) who recently posted on Facebook a comment about people on welfare getting $17.00 an hour...and other comments. I decided that I wanted to research other sources to determine the validity of his comments. I particularly like the resource "Facts and Myths about Welfare Recipients". I have been on welfare before (within the last two years for food stamps and have stood in food lines due to a variety of reasons...and I had to repay the government the 8 months that I received $197.00 per month (not because of fraud)... but I won't go into the facts about that situation. I am now in Adult Study classes at Friends University with a FAFSA Grant and student loans. I think it is important to post valid comments (although I am still looking for the $17.00 per hour for people on welfare). I will find the answer to my dilemma..should I believe him or not?
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I don't think anyone will know the true statistics of what group is king of the hill when it comes to welfare, but obviously seems to be a major topic when conversations about the economy and government cut backs.and the MEDIA always addresses the U.S. as if it were two countries,"White America/Black America.talk about a ploy to keep the masses divided.
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Drug tests to qualify would clear the rolls.
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So your saying that Republicans DONT think that way about minorities???
