Welfare state growing despite overhauls

[ProSense]

Welfare state growing despite overhauls

By STEPHEN OHLEMACHER, Associated Press Writer 59 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - The welfare state is bigger than ever despite a decade of policies designed to wean poor people from public aid.

The number of families receiving cash benefits from welfare has plummeted since the government imposed time limits on the payments a decade ago. But other programs for the poor, including Medicaid, food stamps and disability benefits, are bursting with new enrollees.

The result, according to an Associated Press analysis: Nearly one in six people rely on some form of public assistance, a larger share than at any time since the government started measuring two decades ago.

Critics of the welfare overhaul say the numbers offer fresh evidence that few former recipients have become self-sufficient, even though millions have moved from welfare to work. They say the vast majority have been forced into low-paying jobs without benefits and few opportunities to advance.

more...

[WCGreen]

1. One thing the data doesn't tell us is that the coralation between

the cash outlaw of welfare and the chit outlays of Medicaid, food stamps and disabiity benefits...

Before, they would cut a check and people would be on their own...

Now, the cash is less but the aid is targeted...

[XemaSab]

2. They're saying people should get JOBS when they're the assholes

who outsourced manufacturing and call center jobs. Do they expect undereducated moms on welfare to just be able to go find a job as a mechanic or a secretary?

Honestly.

[flaminbats]

3. the Republican plan for the future...

as time passes..more and more Republicans will attack retirement benefits, VA benefits, Social Security, and Medicare as nothing more than forms of welfare that must be cut. Who cares that every worker pays a Social Security and Medicare tax, who cares that workers pay premiums while expecting good benefits in return, and who cares that more and more benefits will be cut as more and more taxes are paid by the baby-boomers?

Republicans want something for nothing, they want to take our money without giving us anything in return!

[mntleo2]

4. Welfare Advocate Here!

:hi: :hi: :hi:

I am wondering why this article is being written. First of all, for over 10 years now the cost of welfare has stayed at less than 3% of our national budget ~ and corporate welfare is WAY more, over a thousand times more revenue is paid into corporate welfare than anything near what low income moms are getting. Talk about welfare queens! And while it is because of the McJobs that mothers are forced to work that have no benefits, low pay and odd hours, there is much more with this issue than the cost ~ it is who is on it. More whites than people of color are on welfare. 70% of welfare recipients are from domestic violence situations. Over 75% of TANF parents were married and their ex-spouses are not paying child support. Welfare Reform has actually increased poverty, not helped it.

If there was one thing I would ask it would be why aren't they talking about corporate welfare and then compare that to the cost of low income moms needing help to actually BE moms. What many CEOs get in tax deductions would support hundreds of families for years.

Also. Parenting IS contributing to the future of this nation. I often will ask someone this who tells me that they should not have to "support other people's kids": "With your thinking, you are now paying your parents' social security and Medicaid, so why should you expect our kids to support YOU when you get old, you better plan to die early, start saving 3/4 of your paycheck or hope you inherit at least a million dollars!"

Last of all, without any other subsidy, states spend a great deal more on childcare alone than they would if a mother actually got to stay home and BE a mom, but few do the math. Here is some info: If a mother is on welfare with one child it costs with food stamps (which is federal paid), medical (partially federally paid) and a small cash stipend of around 400.00 for herself and one child (also partially federally paid), altogether about $900.00.

On the other hand: Welfare mothers are forced into the workforce if their baby is over 3 months old. She will not be allowed to even earn a GED before she is put into the workforce for the rest of her adult life. Childcare for newborns is AT LEAST $1200.00 a month ~ which is what Mom would gross on a full time McJob at 7.50 an hour. In other words we are subsidizing corporations to underpay women. She will work her ass off while her children will be without a mom ~ and still need food stamps, medical assistance, housing assistance, transportation, and energy assistance because she will not be able to pay for those things or for clothing, shoes or household needs on her McJob's wages.

We should not be asking questions about the amount of people on welfare. Instead we need to ask why it is that corporate welfare keeps growing and ask about the rampant increase in elitist tax breaks because these are WAY more of a burden on you and I as taxpayers than welfare moms.

Just a few things about welfare.

My 2 cents

Cat In Seattle <---here is the organization I volunteer for and they could use some help: http://www.wroc.org

[area51]

5. Great post.

:thumbsup:

[Greyhound]

6. What a surprise. Many of us have been saying since before this monstrosity was

passed that all it would accomplish was more people in desperate straights and further suppression of wages, well guess what.:eyes:
:kick: & R