The Sad History ofWelfare in America

Presented by Ted Abram

1960’s In America

Believe America had structural poverty:

– Lacked education, skills and training

1964 war on poverty:

– Manpower development & training program

– Neighborhood youth corps

– Work incentive programs

Training & Education:

– Generally failed

– Did not lead to employment

– Generous benefits reduced work

Disincentive to Work

– Increased out-of-wedlock births

– Children raised by single parent

– Generally worse education, crime & parenting

Disincentive to WorkContributed to . . .

Poverty Increased

1988 Family Support Act

Allowed states to experiment with

“Work-First”

– Work is essential - productive work

– The entire focus - to obtain and maintain employment

“Only Work Works”

“ABC”

A Job • A Better Job • A Career

All the studies in America prove work prepares a person for better employment and more income.

Work best trains people withlimited work experience –

On the Job Training

– Employed people are happier and healthier.

– Employed adults have more stable marriages and families.

– Employed parents better nurture their children.

– Children of employed parents are better educated, more knowledgeable and better citizens.These children become better future parents.

People working and producing together will eventually bring understanding and appreciation of other cultures.

Work Enhances Cultural and Ethnic Cooperation and Appreciation

“Work keeps at bay three great evils: boredom, vice and need.”

- Voltaire

Basic Principles

Believe in human ingenuity:

– Every person has talents, and can organize and control their lives, be productive and be a significant member of society.

• Kimi Grey

• Cincinnati Works

– Humans are creative and adaptable. People will adjust, create associations, survive and thrive.

Personal Responsibility

Humans will utilize free goods and services and unwittingly become dependent and lazy, hindering their personal and economic development.

Every person is responsible for his or her material, spiritual and personal well-being. All assistance must be directed to this goal. A person must earn their paycheck and be compensated for work performed.

Believe in Community

Humans do care for each other and naturally organize. Communities will come together to assist the unfortunate. Religious and community organizations will participate in assisting the poor.

• Cincinnati Works

• Jobs for Life

Enhance Employment

Potential job creation is unlimited. Small employers will substantially expand the employment opportunities.

Entrepreneurs create jobs. Every tax and regulation on business represses job growth.

Important Componentsof a Work Program

Mentors & Education

Mentors

People with limited employment experience often need a mentor. A mentor is available to advise the person on personal and employment opportunities and responsibilities.

Mentors

Responsible Employee

• Punctual• Honest• Cooperative• Productive

Personal Lives

• Family• Community • Financial

Mentors

New employees are vulnerable to fail. A wise and skillful mentor can greatly assist the transition to work and self-sufficiency.

The best mentors are neighbors from a similar cultural and ethnic background.

Church communities that provide personal, ethical and spiritual advice have the best success.

Education

Education should be universally and equally provided with no special programs for social or economic groups, e.g., unmarried mothers.

For the unemployed, the best education is in conjunction with work.

Just in time learning – people learn best when it’s relevant to their job.

Suggestions for Slovakia

Set a time limit for public assistance.

Create work programs.

Set a Time Limitfor Public Assistance

When the USA set a five year time limit, long- time recipients of assistance were motivated to find work.

Create Work Programs

Using the “Full Employment” model convert the money now going to recipient into a fund that will reimburse employers that hire present day welfare recipients.

Start With a Small Project

Friendly to business:

– Few rules and regulations

– Prompt reimbursement for salaries paid

– Prompt removal of recipients not cooperating

Employee

Pay for performance:

– Treat like every other employee

– Compensate for work performed

Employer

– Train the employee for the job

– Treat the employee like a regular employee, e.g., pay, holidays, duties and responsibilities

– Provide a mentor for on-the-job counseling

Mentor Program

A member of the community that is a good role model can help the recipient with family, community and work expectations and requirement.

Recruit a Business to Be a Partner with Government

Must have business people saying,

“This is a partnership with governmentthat will work.”

The Full Employment Program Will Increase Jobs and Economy

Instead of paying people to be idle and fostering the destructive behaviors of drugs, alcohol and abuse, the money is supporting production of goods and services.