Reforms for a New America

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the history of welfare reforms and compares it to recent legislation of the Bush administration, including initiatives to prevent welfare abuse and dependence. It also compares liberal and conservative perspectives on reform. Next, it examines the impacts of family and ethical values, immigration, and poverty and stresses the importance of independence among Americans on welfare. It concludes with a summary of the main issues and the reform initiatives meant to improve the system.

From the Paper:

"From the 1960s all the way through the late 1990s, over thirty years, America's welfare system remained predominantly liberal in the sense that it created a dire mentality of entitlement and dependency. The people on welfare generally found themselves trapped in a vicious cycle of government dependency and the poverty associated with it (Armey 1 of1). Various programs, such as the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program (AFDC) and the Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Training program (JOBS), were ineffective because they established a very broad set of welfare standards (Nir 1 of 3). These programs did not work nearly well enough to encourage independence or to set specific standards for welfare recipients. Thus, America suffered through increased poverty rates and an increase in government dependency and welfare abuse. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Armey, Dick. "Welfare Reform Obstructionism." Citizens for a Sound Economy Website. April 9, 2004. www.cse.org/processor/printer.php?issue_id=1737.htm.
• Forst, Jeremy. "Cuts in Welfare Benefits to Immigrants: Justifiable or Detrimental?" Undergraduate Research Journal Homepage. Feb. 1998. www.iusb.edu/~journal/1998/Paper13.html.
• Nir, Ori. "Welfare Bill Drawing Strong Opposition." Forward: News Homepage. Sept. 19, 2003. www.forward.com/issues/2003/03.09.19/news8.tanf.html.
• "President Urges Senate to Pass Compassionate Welfare Reform Bill." (George W. Bush's Speech). The Whitehouse Official Website. July 29, 2002. www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/07/20020729-6.html.
• "The 'Working Toward Independence Act': Expanding State Flexibility." House Education and the Workforce Committee Website. April 15, 2002. www.edworkforce.house.gov/issues.htm

More papers on Reforms for a New America:

• Book Review # 115186 : "The Forgotten Continent of Latin America"
• Research Paper # 46114 : "Poverty in America"
• Argumentative Essay # 127910 : "Health Care Policy Solutions For The Next President"

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