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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Myth of Welfare’s Corrupting Influence on the Poor
Does welfare corrupt the poor?
Few ideas are so deeply ingrained in the American popular imagination as the belief that government aid for poor people will just encourage bad behavior.
The proposition is particularly cherished on the conservative end of the spectrum, articulated with verve by Charles Murray of the American Enterprise Institute, who blamed welfare for everything from higher youth unemployment to increases in illegitimacy. His views are shared, to a greater or lesser degree, by Republican politicians like the unsuccessful presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.
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A World Bank report from 2014 examined cash assistance programs in Africa, Asia and Latin America and found, contrary to popular stereotype, the money was not typically squandered on things like alcohol and tobacco.
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/business/the-myth-of-welfares-corrupting-influence-on-the-poor.html?_r=0
fasttense
(17,301 posts)Why? Because they can afford it.
tech3149
(4,452 posts)I got stuck in a situation were that was the only support available. That was back in the 70's when it was a whole different world but it was no free ride. The funds provided were barely enough for subsistence living but you still had to have your ass out on the street trying to get a job.
If it weren't bad enough to try and search out a job with no transportation, I had to hitchhike 30 miles in sub-zero temps to report to the Welfare office to maintain the benefits.
You want to cut government spending on welfare? Try cutting business welfare since that far exceeds what is invested in welfare for individuals.