Welfare state growing despite overhauls

[ck4829]

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.

"If the goal of welfare reform was to get people off the welfare rolls, bravo," said Vivyan Adair, a former welfare recipient who is now an assistant professor of women's studies at Hamilton College in upstate New York. "If the goal was to reduce poverty and give people economic and job stability, it was not a success."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070226/ap_on_re_us/welfare_state

[magellan]

1. Bush**'s booming economy -- booming for the haves

...and creating more have-nots.

[Porcupine]

2. That's what happens when you ship the JOBS to China.

Even with half the males of working age running around cutting the other half's lawns good jobs are still freaking hard to come by.

[aquart]

3. Well, we could let people starve and die in the streets.

Isn't that how India did it before they got our jobs?

[samplegirl]

4. Just a bump in the road

ladies & gentleman...............on this topic from Rush Limbaugh.

[mntleo2]

5. My Reply Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3134241&mesg_id=3134316

Cat In Seattle

[depakid]

6. Welfare deform = cost shifting

that only further exacerbated the problems. Yet another of the many props to Bill Clinton and his team of enablers.

[Robson]

7. Some food for thought

If our country didn't have millions of illegal workers from other countries, then US employers would start competing with each other for available workers by raising wages and offering real benefits. Then just maybe all those Americans that are stuck on welfare might find much better jobs at more pay.

To Sen Kennedy and your Chamber of Commerce lobbyist buddies that are helping to write the new immigration law.....that seals the fate of many of these poor Americans.........to say I'm very disappointed is a huge understatement.

Suggestion to politicians on both sides. Turn the question of amnesty and immigration policy over directly to Americans as a binding referendum. Since we are the ones that are affected let us decide when we need more in country worker competition to lower our wages. It appears that politicians have their interests and American workers have theirs, but they are not the same.