Why do so many people in this country bash welfare?

Question

I live in the state of Washington. It appears from what I have learned is that a person has to be severely ill, single jobless mother taking care of kids because pops has disappeared, or elderly to get assistance. Most times benefits only last 6 months of a persons entire life. Many times people build a stigma around social services so that people would rather starve themselves and their children than go out and get on "welfare". Europe seems to be the one that gives free hand outs. They have a motto that says that a person can work if they want to. No one questions it and they have nice mass transportation systems, better educational systems, and some of those countries are ranked ahead of us on quality of life. Why are so many Americans complaining? How do you cheat the government to get lots of money? The amount of money I have seen from the lists and college classes looks like just enough money to live out on the streets with for food and clothing. Should we defund it some more?

Answer 1

Oh it's mostly angry white guys with small penises who don't know what to do with their rage. Don't get too concerned. It's a lot of noise.
See see how angry they are. Here's an article I copied to give you a real picture instead of the vacant ramblings seen in some of the other answers.
Myths and Facts About Welfare

The general public views poverty as the result of personal failures and deficiencies. This perception rests on several myths. The most prevalent are that poverty results from a lack of responsibility; welfare leads to chronic dependency; African American women make up the largest group of welfare recipients; welfare promotes single parenthood and out-of-wedlock births; welfare provides a disincentive to work; welfare creates a "culture of poverty" because recipients share and hand down to their children a set of defective behaviors, values, and personality traits; and welfare funds extravagant spending by welfare recipients (Ehrenreich, 1987; Katz, 1989). These myths of pathology translate directly to the debate of who deserves help. They also fuel powerful stereotypical racial and gender messages. It is mothers, especially African American and single mothers, who are viewed as undeserving. Unwed mothers are thought to have the choice of marriage and do not obtain the sympathy that widows have. Other groups that are perceived as undeserving are immigrants, especially if they are not fluent in English.

Even the term "welfare" has been pejorative, and distortions of facts about welfare perpetuate myths about public assistance and those who receive it. These negative myths and stereotypes reinforced the government's agenda in cutting welfare spending to those recipients viewed as undeserving. Reform will continue to be ineffective if those implementing it do not separate myth from fact.

Strategies for alleviating poverty and decisions about government spending continue to be closely linked to the perceived causes of poverty, as well as the extent to which these causes are perceived to be modifiable (Furnham, 1982). Poverty is seen as an individual problem or a social issue (such as education or crime) rather than an economic issue (such as unemployment and the economy)(Gallup, 1992). Consequently, solutions are geared toward fixing or punishing those individuals with the "problem." Little attention is focused on societal factors that may perpetuate under- and unemployment, such as inadequate education, transportation, child care, and mental health problems.

Myth: Poverty Results From a Lack of Responsibility

Fact: Poverty Results From Low Wages

Welfare programs have been our country's response to poverty, and everyone agrees that those programs have not solved the problem. Jared Bernstein (1996) of the Economic Policy Institute identifies wage decline as the crucial economic factor that has had the largest impact on poverty rates in the 1980s and 1990s. While hourly rates of pay have fallen for the majority of the workforce since the late 1970s, by far the largest losses have been for the lowest paid workers. According to Bernstein (1996), between 1979 and 1989, the male worker, for example, at the 10th percentile (meaning 90 percent of the male workforce earns more) saw his hourly wage decline 13 percent, and since 1989 he lost another 6 percent. For women workers at the 10th percentile, the decline over the 1980s was 18 percent. The low-wage female worker gained slightly since 1989, but by 1995, her hourly wage rate was $4.84, down from $5.82 in 1979 (all dollars are in 1995 inflation-adjusted terms).

Myth: A Huge Chunk of My Tax Dollars Supports Welfare Recipients

Fact: Welfare Costs 1 Percent of the Federal Budget

Widespread misperception about the extent of welfare exacerbate the problems of poverty. The actual cost of welfare programs-about 1 percent of the federal budget and 2 percent of state budgets (McLaughlin, 1997)-is proportionally less than generally believed. During the 104th Congress, more than 93 percent of the budget reductions in welfare entitlements came from programs for low-income people (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 1996). Ironically, middle-class and wealthy Americans also receive "welfare" in the form of tax deductions for home mortgages, corporate and farm subsidies, capital gains tax limits, Social Security, Medicare, and a multitude of other tax benefits. Yet these types of assistance carry no stigma and are rarely considered "welfare" (Goodgame, 1993). Anti-welfare sentiment appears to be related to attitudes about class and widely shared and socially sanctioned stereotypes about the poor. Racism also fuels negative attitudes toward welfare programs (Quadagno, 1994).

Myth: People on Welfare Become Permanently Dependent on the Support

Fact: Movement off Welfare Rolls Is Frequent

A prevalent welfare myth is that women who received AFDC became permanently dependent on public assistance. Analyses indicate that 56 percent of AFDC support ended within 12 months, 70 percent within 24 months, and almost 85 percent within 4 years (Staff of House Committee on Ways and Means, 1996). These exit rates clearly contradict the widespread myth that AFDC recipients wanted to remain on public assistance or that welfare dependency was permanent. Unfortunately, return rates were also high, with 45 percent of ex-recipients returning to AFDC within 1 year. Persons who were likely to use AFDC longer than the average time had less than 12 years of education, no recent work experience, were never married, had a child below age 3 or had three or more children, were Latina or African American, and were under age 24 (Staff of House Committee on Ways and Means, 1996). These risk factors illustrate the importance of structural barriers, such as inadequate child care, racism, and lack of education.

Myth: Most Welfare Recipients Are African American Women

Fact: Most Welfare Recipients Are Children-Most Women on Welfare Are White

Children, not women, are the largest group of people receiving public assistance. Less than 5 million of the 14 million public assistance recipients are adults, and 90 percent of those adults are women (U.S. Bureau of Census, 1995). The majority of the recipients are White (38 percent), followed by 37 percent African Americans, and 25 percent other minority groups (Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans) (McLaughlin, 1997). However, African Americans are disproportionately represented on public assistance because they are only 12 percent of the population (O'Hare, Pollard, Mann, & Kent, 1991).

Myth: Welfare Encourages Out-of- Wedlock Births and Large Families

Fact: The Average Welfare Family Is No Bigger Than the Average Nonwelfare Family

The belief that single women are promiscuous and have large families to receive increased benefits has no basis in extant research, and single-parent families are not only a phenomenon of the poor (McFate, 1995). In fact, the average family size of welfare recipients has decreased from four in 1969 to 2.8 in 1994 (Staff of House Committee on Ways and Means, 1996). In 1994, 43 percent of welfare families consisted of one child, and 30 percent consisted of two children. Thus, the average welfare family is no larger than the average nonrecipient's family, and despite considerable public concern that welfare encourages out-of-wedlock births, a growing body of empirical evidence indicates that welfare benefits are not a significant incentive for childbearing (Wilcox, Robbennolt, O'Keeffe, & Pynchon, 1997).

Myth: Welfare Families Use Their Benefits to Fund Extravagance

Fact: Welfare Families Live Far Below the Poverty Line

The belief that welfare provides a disincentive to work by providing a well-paying "free ride" that enables recipients, stereotyped as "Cadillac queens," to purchase extravagant items with their benefits is another myth. In reality, recipients live considerably below the poverty threshold. Despite increased program spending, the average monthly family benefit, measured in 1995 dollars, fell from $713 in 1970 to $377 in 1995, a 47 percent drop. In 26 states, AFDC benefits alone fell 64 percent short of the 1996 poverty guidelines, and the addition of food stamps only reduced this gap to 35 percent (Staff of House Committee on Ways and Means, 1996).

Despite the ready availability of facts, myths about welfare continue to be widespread. The media contributes to this lack of information. The media helps shape public perceptions about welfare recipients. The way in which a topic is reported can turn a neutral reader into an opinionated reader and can greatly influence public opinion. Although in an analysis of articles published in 10 major newspapers from January 1997 to April 1997, the tone was generally sympathetic to the poor, actual research and facts to counter myths were generally lacking (Wyche & Mattern, 1997).

Answer 2

It's the lazy people that ruin it for the people that really need it. giving it a stereotype of people that are in need of some assistance are all lazy. So the people that really need it are to embarrassed to go on it. welfare was set up to help people temporary because they had some hard times. like you said single moms that have no father around and don't have much family support. that's what it is there for. and you aren't going to find to many Americans that have a problem with that. Its the moms that decide to have 3 or 4 more children after they are on welfare and expect the government to pay for them too. They spend their whole lives on welfare. And think that the government owes them something. people do cheat the government out of money by making money under the table and still collect the welfare check. dont get me wrong there are alot of honest people out there that really need a helping hand and should take it thats what it is there for. the government doesnt encourage people to go out and get jobs either. I was a single mom at 19 and was tring to get some help from the government. the babies father wasn't around and I was making only $6 an hour working at white castle. I was told I made to much money for the government to pay for child care. I asked how much do you have to make and they said less than 200 a month! If I was making less than 200 a month I wouldn't need child care! so the system is flawed. I am now married have three children and have a beautiful home no thanks to the government. I was one of the honest ones that needed help and I was turned down. Most people would have had to quit there jobs and be totally supported by the government to servive. So I dont think its so much of people refusing to go on it and more about them not being able to because they are doing it the honest way.

Answer 3

Welfare, in principal, is a good thing. It helps people who are down and out. And I see nothing wrong with that. The problem is, there are people out there who do not want to work, and abuse the system. It seems the more kids that they produce, the bigger the welfare check they seem to get. Many use false ID's, and have found ways to beat the system and just live off government funding. The American worker, who goes to work, has money deducted from his paycheck and some of this money is used by the government to fund these deadbeats. And Americans who work resent it, and rightly so.

Also, it is a known fact that illegal immigrants who enter this country can just trot on over to the welfare office, receive government benefits and food stamps, without ever putting a single dime into the system. And those who are legally here, and really in need, seem to be bogged down by red-tape to receive their benefits, if they can get them at all.

I have seen welfare money used to buy drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. Everything but what it is supposed to be used for.

So yes, there is a big flaw in the system. If properly and fairly managed, it could be a good thing. But the current system needs to be fixed, for sure.

Answer 4

I don't think that it is welfare that people are aiming at, rather the abuse that takes place. You yourself are showing prejudice in your writing whether you want to admit it or not. Nothing wrong with that, we all do it, but a person should be aware.

You stated it's OK for a "single jobless mother because pops has disappeared” or "elderly". If you think about it, some form of welfare or aid should be available to anybody that needs it, not just a select few. Here in lies the problems. Over 70% of the people that are actively searching for a job and can't find gainful employment are male. Why should a person have to be female, and a female with a child, before you can get help? OK, you're correct, it would be easier for a guy to go out and bop somebody on the head in order to feed himself than for a woman dragging along a kid. Children have been provided for through many government programs so having a child shouldn't be a criterion.

People, especially people who have never been down and out don't realize how easy it is to fail when you have no support base. For the young, picture getting kicked out of your parent’s house. Now picture that all of your friends are in the same boat. You go to look for work but you stink because there is no place to shower or wash your clothes. You need a shave or maybe some makeup in order to make a good impression. Remember, the average studio apartment is now around $575 per month. But you have a bad credit history or no credit history so no one will rent to you. The average minimum wage job doesn’t allow for enough income to get set up and survive without help. You get the idea.

Sorry, I digress; cutting this short. People that don't have problems like these believe that folks on the down and out are in that situation (if they are not elderly, infirmed or single mother) because they are lazy and deserve to be on the street. Welfare has been taken advantage of by single mothers to the point of being ridiculous; this is another reason for the disdain. Most elderly and infirmed are not allowed welfare but some form of Social Security, if they are lucky. The government should help out its citizens in times of trouble in order, if for nothing else, than to promote civil harmony. Many hungry people with nothing to loose will move into being a criminal rather than lie down and die. This is the beginning of anarchy so it is in all our best interests to avoid it and avoid the stigma of somebody getting a little help here and there

Answer 5

Americans have been brainwashed to think that giving a hand-up, to a fellow human being is somehow deploring and unnatural. We live by double standards and conflicting messages. Depending on your religious conviction, you are told that sharing is god’s preference for living a holy life stile. While the Americans capitalist mentality stipulates that the preferred ideology, demands that self sufficiency and the accumulation of total wealth is above all most desirable. Forgetting that, one cannot take the accumulated wealth with one to the next world at death.
You should not have to cheat the government for receiving what should be a given, if the government is doing its job of providing for the people, by the people and of the people, then American government is supposed to abide to the constitution. These principles were erected by the founders. These founders believed that government is subject to the will of the people. Like all great ideals there are a few that inevitably will subvert the true attention of any great invention into a tool to further the need of their own selfish gain. These individuals and minor groups are the true devils of humanity and I believe separating them from their wealth, will enable the government to fulfill its true mission, in governing for the people by the people.
Other countries that is further along at providing for its people than America is a result of earlier more reasonable indoctrination that the American idealism is the best way to promote fairness and stability while furthering the cause of free make t and free trade. America went astray when it adopted the laze-faire attitude.
So should we provide Welfare to individuals as a society? I believe the answer should be. Yes. Because as a human beings we are prone to violence, and will fight for the opportunity to survive, at any means necessary. So why take that chance. We can be so much more, without the violence.
Give it to those who seek help. Who knows when you might need it? We are all fallible human beings.

Answer 6

It is necessary but sometimes too generously applied and provides a disincentive.

There are so many common place luxuries in life today that it is easy to mistake the lack of them for poverty.

There was a time when families came to this country to live in shacks and work in sweat shops. They were grateful for the opportunity. Today such minimalist living is not permitted. Certain standards of living are mandated and all these cost money. Life improves, but becomes more expensive.

Some fall between the cracks. We ought to insure a mechanism is there to help them to their feet. Some are incapable, we are obligated to provide what they cannot. Unfortunately when one is the recipient of assistance regardless of the level of need it always appears that more can be done. At some point a line is drawn and parties fall on one side or the other.

Answer 7

This country has free schools and government assisted housing and welfare for a reason. Any body that wants to can succeed and become a educated person.The problem is a whole lot of young people just don't really seem to be very motivated. If I only knew when I was 16 what I know now about how hard it really is to live from paycheck to paycheck I would have studied a lot harder and made straight A's and never missed a day of school. I am now back in school at a trade school completely government funded.I am very happy to be finally getting my life back on track.So I say we should make a shift in funding from giving hand outs to people to assisting them in becoming more self-sufficient. That I think would be better for everybody.

Answer 8

Different states have different welfare systems many states have a system that allows practically any one to go on welfare for as long as they want plus they get food stamps, and rent assistance food donations free health care because a hospital can't turn anyone down so the hospital has to pass the cost on to other patients which drive up the cost of heath insurance.
The welfare system cuts off the payments when the recipient gets a job even if its a low paying job and that's the only jobs these people can get to start so its like once you get on welfare it becomes difficult to get back off and on you feet again so many people get trapped.
They get more money for not working than they could at an entry level job.

It sounds like Washington has a good system I wish more states would adopt that style of welfare.

Answer 9

Because that would make us communist country if the country supported us. We would lose too many of our rights because the government would feel they would have control over us. There is no reason why able bodied people should sit on their a s s e s and let the government take care of us. Too many people on it now for the wrong reasons. If you admire Europe so much, maybe you should think about living there.

If you do a google on illegal immigration, you can find the states where the most illegals live. That is because it is easier to get welfare in those states.

Answer 10

I think you are missing the point. There are people who need and deserve welfare and by all means they should be helped. The problem is children who grow up thinking it is normal not to work because their parents never worked ,so these kids go out on their own punch out a few kids and start drawing welfare. It is unfair to taxpayers and unfair to people caught in the welfare cycle.

Answer 11

To many people live off welfare in this state. I can understand if you are in need for it but so many people take advantage. They get on it and stay on it. The people who work for a living pay out the *** for taxes and we see little back. Where as people that work for 5 or 6 months can barley pay in live off welfare have kids that the state pays for there food, health care, childcare and every thing else and they get a **** load of money back at the end of the year. My husband and I paid over 12000 dollars in taxes last year. We claimed zero all year long and we got back a little over $2000 we have to kids a mortgage and so on. I know some one who is on welfare worked for a little pizza joint for a couple of months has two kids. Got over $5000 back and she didn't even make $5000 dollars all year long. Our government punishes the people who work and rewards people on welfare. Like the earned income credit well not many working families qualify for that instead it allows people who hardly can support them selves most off who qualify are on welfare to get it. Instead of the people who pay in all year long and get **** back. Just my point of view on welfare and things. I didn't mean to veer off your question just venting SORRY!