The Ethics of Welfare Reform
On a fundamental level, welfare is the aid provided for those in need in the form of money or necessities. The six most common forms of welfare include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), the Food Stamp Program (FSP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Medicaid, housing assistance, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC); these programs supply the most essential needs of citizens who live without them. In the ethical regard, welfare promotes economic consistency by providing for those who cannot provide for themselves. Without the introduction of welfare programs, there would be an insurmountable economic depression as well as a perpetual population of unemployed, impoverished individuals. The United
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States first implemented welfare programs in the 1860s to support families Civil War Veterans and their families, today, welfare is primarily used to support immigrant families. With immigration rising, some believe a reform should be passed to benefit the foreign-born majority of welfare recipients. It is in the interest of the United States to study not only how immigrants are affecting our economy and society but also how immigrants adapt to American life. According to Gordon Hanson, a professor of economics and the director of the Center on Pacific Economies at the University of California, San Diego, the foreign born population of the United States represents over 46% of workers with less than a high school education.
Without a high school education or a college degree, immigrants receive lower incomes than that of natives; further driving them into the deep cycle of poverty. For this reason, their tax contributions are unlikely to offset the costs they impose on the US economy, only causing tax contributions and the federal budget to elevate. It is believed that the number of unskilled legal immigrants in the United States has begun to place a strain on taxpayers due to the fact that immigrants use more welfare than natives Only 13% of the native-born population are on some type of assistance compared to 20% of the foreign-born population. (Camarota). As more immigrants gain citizenship, they will also gain unrestricted access to all welfare programs. Concerns will begin to arise as the spike in welfare use caused by the inevitable influx of immigrants will only cause tax-supported welfare programs to pull more money from taxpayers. Ethical welfare reform is needed to maintain the current economy, discourage dependence, and stimulate high wage job opportunities, all while considering the rights of …show more content…
immigrants. Drug Testing As the number of welfare recipients rises, there is less money to be put forth to those who abuse these welfare programs. Some argue that the first step to weeding out some of these outliers is mandatory drug-testing. In 2011, Florida Republican governor Rick Scott signed into action the HB 353, a legislation that requires all TANF recipients in the state of Florida to undergo drug testing. Failure of the first test warrants ineligibility for one year and failing of a second test warrants ineligibility for three years. In October of 2010, Rick Scott stated, "If you go apply for a job today, you are generally going to be drug tested. The people that are working are paying the taxes for people on welfare. Shouldn't the welfare people be held to the same standard? We shouldn't have long-term welfare or someone who is using drugs or not out trying to get a job.” The bill then passed the House 78-38 and the Senate 26-11 (Sherman). After an injunction was passed confirming the legislation’s unconstitutionality, the state continued to argue that an exception to the Fourth Amendment needed to be made in order to ensure job readiness. Nicole Flatow, Senior Editor of ThinkProgress Justice and former Associate Director of Communications for the American Constitution Society, presents that drug tests targeting particular populations are unconstitutional if they are not specially tailored to protect public safety or interest. In the case of Lebron v. Wilkins, Luis W. Lebron applied to the Florida Department of Children and Families for benefits under the TANF program to support himself and his minor child. Florida law required all TANF program applicants to consent to random drug testing, leaving those who decline the test ineligible for the program. When Lebron refused the drug test on the grounds that the test was unreasonable and there was no reason to believe that he used drugs, he was deemed ineligible for benefits under the program. Lebron sued and U.S. District Judge Mary Scriven found Florida’s law to violate the Fourth Amendment’s right to be free from unreasonable searches, thus proving Florida’s law and drug testing for welfare recipients unconstitutional. This court case set the precedent for future fights against unscrupulous violations of the rights of welfare recipients. Dependence Melissa Devilma, a once homeless, jobless mother that relied on the welfare system, received $33,000 annually from taxpayers. Devilma used the money to go to the college and earn a bachelor’s degree. Now that she is financially stable, she wants to get off the program, but personally knows many other welfare recipients who are reluctant to seek work or an education. Why work when the average welfare program pays more than a minimum wage job which is what most welfare recipients would be on anyway? According to a study conducted by the Cato Institute, in 11 states, a jobless single mother could make more from welfare benefits than she could make as a first year teacher. For many Americans, not working is a “rational alternative” to working, thus inciting a reliance on welfare programs (Devilma). Many continuously argue that welfare does not create dependence, but, according to Dr.
Patrick F. Fagan, Senior Fellow at the Family Research Council, and Robert Rector, Senior Researcher in domestic policy at The Heritage Foundation, that is untrue. The 4.7 million families currently receiving Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) already have spent, on average, six-and-a-half years on welfare. When the past and estimated future receipts of AFDC are combined, the estimated average length of stay on AFDC is 13 years. Among the 4.7 million families currently receiving AFDC, over 90 percent will spend over two years on the AFDC caseload. More than 75 percent of all families on AFDC will spend over five years on the program. (Rector) Welfare was not intended to be a permanent solution for temporary
problems. In 2012, Republican Paul Ryan, chair of the House budget panel, stated, "We don't want to turn the safety net into a hammock that lulls able-bodied people to lives of dependency and complacency, that drains them of their will and their incentive to make the most of their lives.” The supplemental checks provided by welfare programs should not prompt recipients to accept poverty rather than encourage a timely exit from the program altogether, as Devilma exemplified. President Obama himself has admitted that some welfare programs have been ill-designed and do encourage dependency. Considering that both Republicans and Democrats have admitted the welfare program to be at fault, the degree of political partisanship that plagues the U.S. today prohibits beneficial progress. Incessant disagreeing and continuous conflicts between parties continue to prevent reform in welfare. All parties have recognized that when these programs do little to nothing to encourage recipients to work, to upgrade their skills, or to even try to get off of welfare, recipients become content with just collecting a check every month. The matter at hand is left to reaching a morally reasonable reform. Conclusion The system of welfare in the United States promotes the overuse, abuse, or reliance of welfare programs, therefore indicating a need for ethical welfare reform. The proposed solutions have done little to. The ethics of this welfare reform has remained an underlying problem and a topic of debate. The introduction of a reform that is wholly ethical and wholly rational and practical will decrease the amount of welfare recipients in the United States, lower taxes, and optimize the federal budget as well as the welfare system altogether.
O?Beirne, Kate. ?The State of Welfare: An old and tricky question resurfaces.? National Review 54.2 (February 11, 2002): 1--2. Online. Information Access Expanded
The current system has not been good for children. In 1965 there were 3.3 million children on AFDC; by 1992, that had risen to over 9 million children despite the fact that the total number of children in this country has declined. Last year, the Department of Health and Human Services estimated if we do nothing, 12 million will be on AFDC in 10 years. Instead of working up, we find more and more children being trapped in a system and into dependency on welfare. 90 percent of the children on AFDC live without one of their parents. Only a fraction of welfare families are engaged in work. There are always the sad accounts of how, again and again, women would get off of welfare, they would be doing well on their own, but their child-care would fall apart just as they were getting back on their feet. The new bill provides $3.5 billion more than current for that needed child care.
There are over twelve million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. Many came to America to work, go to school, or be reunited with family members who are already residing here. Most migrants want to work and pursue the “American dream”. There are many barriers for residents to achieving success at the work and life balance. The immigrants fall back on public assistance to support them.
Welfare is a federally funded program that provides health care, food stamps, child care assistance, unemployment, cash aid, and housing that is under the umbrella of TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Per Welfare Information, eligibility is determined by net income, family size, and any crisis situation such as: pregnancy, homelessness, and unemployment. TANF also requires the recipient to obtain employment within two years of receiving help (2014). A majority of the monies that support Welfare come from taxes paid by the working class and donations from private companie...
The welfare system has helped families over time sometimes for their entire lives. Welfare is a social support system that helps families. It is provided by the government. Funding for the welfare system comes from general government revenue. The welfare system was originally call the aid to dependent children and this was created in the great depression. The AFDC was created to decrease the poverty during this time in American history. Overtime the welfare system has evolved. Although welfare provides assistance to some families, some people take advantage of the system by living off of unemployment and this can cause unfair expenses for taxpayers.
The United States of America has the largest foreign-born population in the world. With nearly thirteen percent of the total population being foreign-born, one may find it hard to imagine an immigrant-free country (U.S. Bureau of the Census). Immigration has been an integral part of the United States’ overall success and the country’s economy since it was established and without it, would have never been founded at all. Although there are some negative issues associated with immigration and many native-born Americans believe to be more of a problem than a solution, overall it actually has a positive effect. Immigrants in America, among other things, fill jobs where native-born Americans may not want to work or cannot work, they contribute to Social Services and Medicaid through taxes and they help provide the backbone of America, especially by working jobs that natives may have not even considered.
The United States is often referred to as a ‘reluctant welfare state.’ There are various reasons for this description. One of the primary reasons for this is the differences and diversity of the political parties which are the motivating forces that control government. The Liberal Party, for instance supports government safety nets and social service programs for those in need. “Liberals believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all.” ("Studentnews," 2006) They believe it is the responsibility of government to ensure that the needs of all citizens are met, and to intervene to solve problems. The responsibility of government is to alleviate social ills, to protect civil liberties and sustain individual and human rights. Liberals support most social and human service programs; such as TANF, including long-term welfare, housing programs, government regulated health care, Medicare, Medicaid, social security, and educational funding. Their goal is to create programs that promote equal opportunity regardless of gender, age, race, orientation, nationality or religion, along with many others. Liberals believe that government participation is essential and a means to bring about fairness and justice to the American way of life.
In today’s America, there are many people who would either be disgusted at the very mention of Welfare or be highly grateful for its existence. I believe that in order for welfare to be more effective in America, there must be reform. From the time of its inceptions in 1935, welfare has lent a helping hand to many in crisis (Constitution Rights Foundation). However, at present many programs within the system are being abused and the people who are in real need are being cheated out of assistance. The year after the creation of welfare unemployment was just about twenty percent (Unemployment Statistics). The need for basic resources to survive was unparallel. Today, many people face the same needs as many did during the 30s. Some issues with
This mini-paper will discuss the social welfare system. The mini-paper includes a discussion of welfare Policy, residual and institutional approach, and what is Social Welfare and Social Security. Midgely, (2009), pointed out that social welfare systems deliver services that facilitate and empower our society, especially to those persons who require assistance in meeting their basic human needs. The goal of social welfare is to provide social services to citizens from diverse cultures, and examples include Medicare, Medicaid, and food benefits. Midgley,( 2009).
Welfare assistance itself is provided from monies managed by a federally funded program that provides health care, food stamps, child care assistance, unemployment benefits, cash aid, and housing to citizens in need. It is categorized the governmental umbrella of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). According to Welfare Information, eligibility is determined by net income, family size, and any crisis situation such as: pregnancy, homelessness, or unemployment (2014). TANF also requires the recipient to obtain employment within two years of rec...
The United States is sometimes described as a “reluctant welfare state.” I agree with this statement. Too often there are programs created by our government that, although may be lined with good intentions, end up failing in their main purpose. The government may, and hopefully does, seek to help its citizens. However, by applying unreasonable qualifying or maintenance criteria, or too many restrictions that bar people from even receiving aid at all, they end up with many more problems than solutions. Three examples of policies that do this are: Medicare, No Child Left Behind, and TANF, or the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
Welfare can be defined as health, happiness, and good fortune; well-being; Prosperity; and Financial or other aid provided, especially by the government, to people in need (Merriam-Webster, 2014). It can be very beneficial to people in need of it. Tim Prenzler stated that, “Welfare systems are often seen as providing a ‘safety net’ that prevents citizens falling below a minimum standard of living (2012, p2). Everyone is able to use is if they are in need of it. People have successfully used welfare to get out of their slum, and started to support themselves. Others have decided to not try to get out of that slum, and live off that welfare. They decided that they didn’t have to try, and let the government support them. Welfare is a good tool for people to get back on their feet, but shouldn’t be that persons steady income.
The reality that exists for these individuals is different than that which is assumed by many. People assume that recipients are lazy and that they do not want to work, or that they are very promiscuous women who have children in order to continue receiving help from the government. The realities for these...
First, immigrants come to the U.S. to work and bring valuable skills which help grow the economy despite the negative views surrounding their part in the U.S. economy. Since the 2008-2009 recession the view on immigration and its effects on the economy has been more negative than positive (Peri, 2012). A study done by Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government found that about 50 percent of American adults believe that immigrants burden the country because they, “take jobs, housing, and healthcare”, while the other 50 percent believe that, “immigrants strengthen the country due to their hard work and talents” (Delener & Ventilato, 2008). Over the past decade, “over half of the increase in the U.S. labor force,… was the result of immigration-l...
Welfare is intended for families or individuals that are in need of assistance with no or little income. For those who do not know, Welfare funds come from hard working individuals that are required to pay taxes. Now we wonder, are the tax payers’ hard earned money going to the right deserving recipients? Welfare fraud is on the rise in this country. Many are taking advantage of the system taking away the help that is meant for people that truly needed help to provide for their families or people that need assistance until they can stand on their own feet. Statistics clearly show that “785,000 to 1.2 million families are illegally receiving welfare benefits. At the average rate of $11,500 per year, this means taxpayers are being scammed out of roughly $9 to $13.5 billion dollars every year” (User, par. 4) that is $13.5 Billion dollars of the tax payers hard earned money that is going to the wrong people that do not deserve it. What are the types of Welfare fraud that are being committed in the United States that our government needs to pay close attention to? To start, hopeful recipients will intentionally give false information about their household income to qualify. Some will sell their food stamps also known as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP). Also, illegal and misuse of Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) is one of the problems our Welfare System is facing today. All three are considered illegal and these type of activities need to be stopped immediately. People that are in need should be given the assistance they desperately ask for. The System should re-assure tax payers that their hard earned money is going to the right recipients and is not going into the wrong hands.