Do you have any ideas to create a better "welfare" system?

Question

One of the biggest issues I see the American Government face is the issue of a non-functioning welfare system. The majority of welfare dollars are spent on women and children, and no child should starve (although I've met some women that might deserve it). But the system in place makes no effort to allow a way up and out. In fact it makes it very difficult by cutting off all support at such a low income level many "can't afford to work". Any suggestions??

Answer 1

Thanks for asking. Here's the answer. The government should never, ever, hand out money, or anything of value for that matter. The fraud involved in that method is vast. Make sure the people are getting what it was intended they get (eliminating, for example, the old food stamps for crack barter). Concentrate hard on eliminating the waste and fraud inherent in the system. Every dollar you save by eliminating fraud and waste could be used to get these people off welfare (at no additional cost to the taxpayers). Education, job training, relocation. Once you have a good system for getting people off welfare, then you can start to install restrictions to "encourage" the less motivated. You could also clamp down on fraud and waste in other government departments and use that "free" money to get people off of welfare and out of poverty. Done. Next problem.

Answer 2

Albeit true there's a large number of low income mental or physical (or both) dysfunctional people who sincerely need "living cost assistance", there's a overwhelming number of the undeserving who flood / bog down the system--and all but gave welfare a bad name.

This week, we saw the glaring fact that such people "affected" by Hurricane Katrina went wild with their $2,500 FEMA issued 'credit cards'....and swindled off about $ 1.4 BILLION on stuff like high tech luxury items, season football tickets--even a sex change. A Louisiana prison inmate managed to snag off with 3 FEMA checks aimed at helping with apartment rental costs--while he was IN PRISON!!!! The Feds now can't make enough arrests every day (supposedly).

But pat these scumbags on the back: FEMA will now limit assistance to a mere $500 a person now. These are your welfare crooks, too.

Indeed, NO child should starve in America. But welfare controls are sorely needed. I think a major step would be more government control on just what how much welfare $$$ are granted and even tighter control on HOW those welfare $$$ are spent.

But the Government will bemoan taking such measures will cost too much tax $$$$; never mind the fact that the Iraq war cost us $ 50 BILLION A MONTH!!!

Answer 3

The problem with Welfare is that it encourages some very bad vices.

Like you mentioned, making "too much money" cuts off benefits, so you have to make a lot more money for the effort to be worth it.

Unwed mothers who marry the father of their child also financially suffer under Welfare - that's one reason why there are so many single mothers out there...

No one should starve, but many suffer the effects of poor decisions (like not graduating from high school) made earlier in life - how responsible for these decisions are the taxpayers?

Also, in my opinion, people on Welfare should not be allowed to spend money on "luxury items." Do you know how many people in the lower income brakets have big TVs, cable, and other things that aren't even remotely necessary for survival, or even convience?

One final point: you shouldn't be able to smoke while on Welfare. That would encourage thousands of people to quit smoking as well as saving these same people on Welfare thousands of dollars every year. How many Welfare families could use an extra $2,000?

Answer 4

well... I think a vocational education program would do a lot of good... something that teaches a basic skill to people... it could be anything from child care to welding... those learning child care could even run the day care for other parents that are in other parts of the school... of course everyone would be taught by certified instructors...

After they got out of the program, they can work for the government using their skills at a decent rate of pay, or move on to the private sector, where they would probably get paid better...

Of course you couldn't just cut all the funding at once... It would have to be a slow process.... and some form of it would probably still be needed for people just down on their luck for a month or two... but major revisions should clearly be made, both to the program and to the oversight of the program...

But, for all that the Republicans have cried about welfare... what have the did to change it? Nothing...

Clinton did more welfare reform, limiting the amount of time one could be on it, than all the Republicans put together over the past 6 years...

Answer 5

Ahh. memories. I wrote a paper in college about the abuse of food stamps and medicaid. Do you know what a waste it is? I went to the welfare office today and saw so many lazy people there that I left. People need to get off their lazy butts and work. And quit relying on Good Ole' Uncle Sam for a handout. My paper earned me a 95-A the professor loved it. Welfare should be abolished. It teaches todays teens that its OKAY to have a baby out of wedlock and not be working because its free. If I was homeless I wouldnt go get welfare. And I have an illness! Call it my stupid pride, but its honesty and good old fashioned ideals.

Answer 6

People on welfare should have to volunteer X amount of hours per dollar they receive. It should have to be a 501c3 approved charity and the more money they get, the more time they should have to put in. This way the person can learn a skill while giving back to the society that is supporting them.

State run child care can take care of any children - and that could be staffed by a few 'qualified' & schooled for pay workers and by volunteers 'working' for their welfare money!

Answer 7

I think that the welfare system should run more like the unemployment system. I'm not saying exactly because that isn't perfect either but it is better. Basically in order to collect welfare you will have to have paid into the system at one point. You will also only collect in proportion to what you have paid in. You must take a job that is offered to you even if it isn't what you want. And most importantly - WELFARE NEEDS TO HAVE AN END DATE!!!! You shouldn't be allowed to be on welfare for the rest of your life.

Answer 8

I think that we should create a national health system, so that even the poor have access to good medical care. I also think that instead of just providing money, the government should give job training and parenting classes that you have to take to get welfare. Plus, high school dropouts could be dropped from welfare rolls, because they perpetuate a cycle of poverty.

Answer 9

The system needs much reform, and the government needs to be more proactive in monitoring the dollars here......I have worked in a grocery store in college, and I was working full time, going to school full time, busting my butt....eating mac and cheese and ramen noodles...
and there would be people coming through buying steak and lobster with food stamps...who never worked or went to school...it is almost as though they are rewarded for staying where they are.
I think time limits would help..the system needs to be there for people who actually need it, but you shouldn't need it for that long, you could go to school, or look for a job, etc....I think that really needs to be enforced. A woman who is on welfare will probably have kids who are welfare too....reform would help them all have a better life, and a better self image too.

Answer 10

Its a really tough situation i see people getting money from welfare and not putting money into welfare from taxes etc. People have learned to take advantage of our government careing and not wanting people to starve. No I don't have a really good solution though.

"Fred The Wiser" what was the last good idea that came from a liberal....can't think of one