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Social Welfare Lazy bums...all of them
We should measure welfare's success by how many people leave welfare, not by how many are added. Ronald Reagan
Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other's welfare, social justice can never be attained. Helen Keller
Equality of opportunity NOT equality of condition.◦More restrictive- Only needy- not a fair share
◦Alleviative NOT curative like Sweden etc.
◦Slower to embrace- England 1908 US 1935
Our program is different
1.Majoritarian politics-Social Sec/medicare◦ Good politics until cost exceeds benefit.
SS- 1939. disabled added in 1956 6.2 % tax+ 6.2% tax to employer- tax is capped as of
2013 $113,700 Medicare tax is 2.9%
Two types
1959- 35% of elderly are in poverty 1997- 11% of elderly are in poverty BUT: SS and medicare help wealthy more
than poor. Why?◦ Wealthy live longer-use system longer◦ Wealthy use system more successfully- (top 10%
claim > 40% more benefits than poorest 10%)
Does Social Security work?
Client politics- means tested ◦ TANF- Temporary Assistance to Needy Families-
Clinton reform of 1996- more restrictive
History1. before1930’s- most states run welfare programs2. 1935- AFDC funded by feds. New Deal program,
part of Soc Sec bill3. 1960’s LBJ “War on Poverty” expands welfare rolls4. 1996- AFDC becomes more restrictive, now TANF-
Must work within 2 yrs, states can deny teen moms
Two types continued
Did TANF work?
Old view- Yes, it’s money for widows New view- No, it’s money for promiscuous
single moms.
Do we accept it?
Supplemental Security Income(SSI)-low income people who are either aged (65 or older), blind, or disabled.
SNAP- Food stamps Child and Adult care food Program(CACFP)-
Food for those with impairments, in day care settings
Unemployment insurance Children’s Health Insurance Program ( CHIP) Aid
to children whose parents have no health insuarnce
Other client politics programs
How many receive?
1. Progressive- the more you make the more you pay-
Redistribution- taxes
2. Proportional- same % from all- sales tax MD= 6%
Regressive- the more you make the less you pay- SS tax…it’s capped.
Taxes continued
Who made and who paid?
Does our tax system work?
Public education? Student Aid in college? Child tax deduction? Free and reduced lunch? Food stamps? Unemployment insurance? SSI? Social security? Medicare? Medicaid? Tax incentives? Corporate tax breaks? Subsidies? $59 billion for individuals..$92 billion for corporations
Do you receive welfare?
