Welfare Reform in the United States Essay Example for Free

Welfare Reform in the United States Essay Throughout recent years the economy of the United States of America has been going through a major recession. There have been and continue to be irresponsible fiscal policies that have led to these major problems that are at the forefront of the minds and lives of the American people. Picking just one cause or problem to our nations’ economic decay is virtually impossible, yet one of the aspects of government that is considered for reform quite often can be refined to help stimulate the economy now and in the future. History in the United States  The United States welfare program is full of a rich history that began well before the actual system of welfare was developed by President Roosevelt. The welfare ideas stemmed from a very human trait of caring for the needy. Many small programs were developed to try to help the lower class. These programs focused on â€Å"teaching a man to fish† or giving him a short term solution and education to help him have a better opportunity in his future. The programs were never designed to be a long term solution for the needs of those people who were suffering through financial difficulties. In fact few private and government retirement pensions existed in the United States before the Great Depression. The prevailing view was that individuals should save for their old age or be supported by their children. About 30 states provided some welfare aid to poor elderly persons without any source of income. Local officials generally decided who deserved old-age assistance in their community (welfare reform. 123HelpMe. com. ) ( transplant-speakers. olhblogspace. com) â€Å"†The New Deal† The emphasis during the first two years of President Franklin Roosevelts New Deal was to provide work relief for the millions of unemployed Americans. President Roosevelt’s focus on helping people become working and financially responsible was an important part to the economic relief during the great depression. The â€Å"New Deal† provided a short term solution and plan for the unemployed to become financial independent. Most federal money was given to the states pay for public works projects, which employed the jobless. Some federal aid also directly assisted needy victims of the Depression. The states, however, remained mainly responsible for taking care of the unemployables (widows, poor children, the elderly poor, and the disabled). But states and private charities, too, were unable to keep up the support of these people at a time when tax collections and personal giving were declining steeply. In his State of the Union Address before Congress on January 4, 1935, President Roosevelt said â€Å"the time has come for action by the national government to provide security against the major hazards and vicissitudes [uncertainties] of life. He went on to propose the creation of federal unemployment and old-age insurance programs. He also called for guaranteed benefits for poor single mothers and their children along with other dependent persons. By permanently expanding federal responsibility for the security of all Americans, Roosevelt believed that the necessity for government make-work employment (make-work employment refers to the government stepping in and creating work/jobs) and other forms of Depression relief would disappear. In his address before Congress, Roosevelt argued that the continuation of government relief programs was a bad thing for the country: â€Å"lessons of history, confirmed by the evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence upon relief induces a spiritual and moral disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit . . .. † (F D R: the words that reshaped America By Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Stamford Parker) As we reflect on these words we can see that America and her leaders have lost sight of the true purpose and plan behind the welfare program. (citizenjoe. org- Percentage of welfare spending) â€Å"The Social Security Act† A few months later, on August 18, 1935, Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act (Wikipedia. org). It set up a federal retirement program for persons over 65, which was financed by a payroll tax paid jointly by employers and their workers. FDR believed that federal old-age pensions together with employer-paid unemployment insurance (also a part of the Social Security Act) would provide the economic security people needed during both good and bad times. Not by any means was Roosevelt implying he wanted the vast minorities or majorities in age or race to become dependent on the federal or state governments. In addition to old-age pensions and unemployment insurance, the Social Security Act established a national welfare system. The federal government guaranteed one-third of the total amount spent by states for assistance to needy and dependent children under age 16 (but not their mothers). Additional federal welfare aid was provided to destitute old people, the needy blind and crippled children. Although financed partly by federal tax money, the states could still set their own eligibility requirements and benefit levels. This part of the law was pushed by Southern states so they could control the coverage made available to their African-American population. This is how welfare began as a federal government responsibility. Roosevelt and the members of Congress who wrote the welfare provisions into the Social Security Act thought that the need for federal aid to dependent children and poor old people would gradually go away as employment improved and those over 65 began to collect Social Security pensions. But many Americans, such as farm laborers and domestic servants, were never included in the Social Security old-age retirement program. Also, since 1935, increasing divorce and father desertion rates have dramatically multiplied the number of poor single mothers with dependent children. This made it much harder for the government to dole out the funds for social security. Since the Great Depression, the national welfare system expanded both in coverage and federal regulations. It has become a crutch for many of American citizens. The welfare program is not serving its original purpose. From its inception, the system drew critics. The system does not do enough to get people to work. Others simply believed the federal government should not administer a welfare system. As the system grew, so did criticism of it, especially in the 1980s and 90s. Additions to Welfare† In 1992, Democratic candidate, Bill Clinton, ran for president promising to end welfare as we know it. Yet a complete mend to a federal and state entity that provided support and stability to thousands would cripple the economy and leave all those in the system to fend for themselves after being on a system that did everything for them. Then in 1996, a Republican Congress passed and President Clinton signed a reform law that returned most control of welfare back to the states, thus ending 61 years of federal esponsibility (â€Å"Constitutional Rights Foundation† http://www. crf-usa. org/bill-of-rights-in-action/bria-14-3-a-how-welfare-began-in-the-united-states. html ). When the federal Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program began in 1936, it provided cash aid to about 500,000 children and parents. By 1969, the number had grown to nearly 7 million. Over the years, Congress added new programs. President Lyndon B. Johnsons War on Poverty provided major non-cash benefits to AFDC recipients as well as to other needy persons. In 1964, Congress approved a food stamp program for all low-income households. The next year, Congress created Medicaid, a federal and state funded health-care system for the destitute elderly, disabled persons, and AFDC families. In 1974, during the Nixon presidency, Congress established the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program to provide aid to the needy elderly, blind, and disabled. This program made up the last major component of the federal welfare system. By 1994, more of the nations needy families, elderly, and disabled received federal welfare than ever before. Aid to Families with Dependent Children alone supported more than 14 million children and their parents. By the 1990s, AFDC supported 15 percent of all U. S. children. In most cases, these children lived at home and were cared for by a single parent, usually the mother, who did not work. In August 1996, after 18 months of debate, Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act. This welfare reform law ended 61 years of AFDC guaranteed cash assistance to every eligible poor family with children. The new law turned over to the states the authority to design their own welfare programs and to move recipients to work. Under the new law, the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, funded by federal block grants and state money, replaced AFDC. States are given wide discretion in determining eligibility and the conditions under which families may receive public aid. But Congress tied a number of strict work requirements to the federal block grants: †¢ Adults receiving family cash-aid benefits must go to work within two years.  States may exempt a parent with a child under 1 for no more than 12 months. States had to have 25 percent of their welfare caseloads at work in 1997 and 50 percent of their caseloads at work by 2002. States who fail to meet these requirements will lose 5 percent of their federal block grants (http://www. welfareinfo. org/history/). Each adult is limited to no more than five years of cash assistance during his or her lifetime. But states may exempt up to 20 percent of their caseloads from this limit. A 1995 study by the Cato Institute revealed that the value of the total benefit package received by a typical welfare recipient averaged more than $17,000, ranging from a high of over $36,000 in Hawaii to a low of $11,500 in Mississippi. In 9 states welfare pays more than the average first-year salary for a teacher. In 29 states welfare pays more than the average starting salary for a secretary. In 47 states welfare pays more than a janitor makes. In the 6 states benefits exceed the entry-level salary for a computer programmer (http://www. heritage. org/ and www. cato. org). America can be on her way to economic stability and growth once again if we obtain a complete understanding of the rich history of the public welfare system. We can come closer to helping our citizens be financially independent, we can become a more cultured and sophisticated society. When we embrace the true purpose behind the original establishment of welfare programs and provide people with an opportunity to live within their means when they need assistance, and teach them how to provide for their future, then we will be able to further help our country and our economy. We will once again become the world’s leading economic power and our citizens will be the force behind that great power. PROPOSAL A Plan for Modern Reform One of the greatest ways we can help America regain the great power it once had is by electing a leader who can help us solve some of the financial issues we face, specifically welfare. Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney is that person. Regarding the current welfare problem he stated, â€Å"â€Å"Fundamentally, this is a debate about the best way to help someone lead a fulfilling life. We know that the best system isn’t about a handout but a hand up. † –Source: press release on welfare reform (July 2005) â€Å"People want a chance to work so they can build self-sustaining lives instead of relying on a welfare check that will keep them trapped in poverty. By providing support services and incentives where necessary, we want to give welfare recipients the opportunity to achieve independent and fulfilling lives. † –Source: press release on welfare reform (January 2005) We must not allow people to abuse the welfare system. We need to establish and follow strict guidelines and laws for receiving welfare. We must also develop a system to help people get off of the program and stop abusing the system. Mitt Romney has offered a full-fledged detailed economic plan when he announced a 59-point job and economic proposal during a speech at the McCandless International Trucks dealership in Nevada, Las Vegas on September 6, 2011. Called Day One, Job One, the plans main objective would be to restore America to the path of robust economic growth necessary to create jobs. .

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Dr. Ozegovic Human Development February 12, 2014 Infancy and Toddlerhood Growth and development for infants and toddlers have been deemed the most crucial time frame for proper development and learning. It is during this time that the body and mind grow, develop, and form very important distinguishing markers that will create the future of the person. In this time, it depends on how the child is taught, and who teaches the child that will decide on what the child will grow up to be. In this paper I will be talking about physical, cognitive, and emotional development. I will be discussing the different ideals that are thought to be the elements that build the child into the adolescent they will become. We will be meeting my son, Tot, who is you average everyday child, except for one point. He has auditory neuropathy. This condition makes him a bit different than other children. He is you everyday normal child, but I feel that the way he has developed is different due to the lack of understand of his condition, and the lack of communication. It in no way h as affected his physical development, but I feel that it has affected his cognitive and emotional development, due the constraints of a language barrier and lack of understanding. Physical Development From birth to being a toddler, the body goes thru several different changes and development stages. The different body parts will grow at different rates. This is described as the cephalocaudal trend, meaning head to tail, Exploring lifespan development pp.93. From the time the child is born the head makes up 25% of the body. By the age of 2 the lower part of the body eventually makes up to be equal to the head. The proximodistal trend is where the center of the torso grows outward... ...or example supports my son emotionally by giving him whatever he wants. He gets candy, and can watch tv at the dinner table. At bedtime, she puts him to bed and lets him watch movies til he falls asleep. My cousin, when she watches Tot, she lets him run around and do whatever he wants. Wake up, go to sleep, bathe, and others. In my home, we don’t watch tv at the table, we have a set bedtime, and we only allow candy at specific times and only as a treat. Looking at the impact of these emotional styles of raising, my son is a crazy child and runs around screaming and laughing when he is with my cousin. The emotional support he gets thought is minimal. He has separation anxiety when he leaves me to go to her house, even though we are strict at my house. Its due to the need children have for stability and knowing a schedule I think. In conclusion,

Describe the ways in which swing music and popular culture were interrelated during the time known as the swing era Essay

Describe the ways in which swing music and popular culture were interrelated during the time known as the swing era. There were many ways in which swing music and popular culture were interrelated during the time known as the swing era. Jazz became the cornerstone of popular culture during the period known as the swing era. The swing era influenced clothing styles, retail marketing, fashion, dance, and even language. Swing fans had their own clothing style and built a social phenomenon around it. With many dances coming and going the swing fans kept on dancing. Name some of the specific innovations Duke Ellington brought to jazz in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Duke Ellington brought some specific innovations to jazz in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Ellington was in time known as the greatest composer in jazz, he wrote roughly 2,000 compositions that had arranged from solo piano pieces, to works for orchestra’s, to highly symphonic concert music, etc. Ellington made a lot of changes to make the perfect sound, he used a variety of mutes on brass instruments to achieve more interesting tonal effects, often gave melodies to instruments that were not typically melodic instruments, and he used cross-sectional voicing. Read Also:  Topics for Descriptive Essay Ellington created an orchestra in the early 1940’s which later became known as his â€Å"Favorite Orchestra†. 4. Describe why Count Basie’s rhythm section is called the first modern rhythm section. Count Basie’s rhythm section is called the first modern rhythm section. Basie made the rhythm section to â€Å"breathe† which helped compliment instead of duplicate, as well as having the drummer Jo Jones who played the high hat cymbal style. With this Basie had created the All-American Rhythm section which was known at the first modern rhythm section because Basie had created such an amazing rhythm section to go with the rest of his band it was solid. 9. Describe some of the reasons why the swing era began and why it came to an end. There were many reasons why the swing era had begun and why it had come to an end. The beginning of the swing era started from a band called the Benny Goodman Orchestra. They traveled around on tour to get a spot and had been denied, until their last stop in Los Angeles, CA. The Palomar Ballroom wanted to hear the music that had been broadcasting and this began the swing era. The swing era decided to collapse with a shocking suddenness, with bands all over closing up their bags and shutting down. The swing era had suddenly ended from changing economics, the war, predictability, the changing audience, and bebop all of this had ended what was known as the swing era. 10. Describe how the styles of Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins were different. The styles from Lester Young and Coleman Hawkins were very different throughout the swing era. Hawkins and Young were two of the best tenor sax players that had emerged during the swing era. Considerably different, Hawkins played a huge dark sound, whereas Young’s was light and breathy. Some of the differences were as follows; Hawkins improvisations were based on his superior knowledge of harmony, Young’s were rooted in the blues, Hawkins played with a rhythmic approach that was always closely tied to the beat, and Young’s rhythmic conception was much looser, and often untied to the beat. Although they had many differences, they inspired sax players for years to come. 1. The arranging styles of Ellington and Basie are quite different when put next to each other to compare and contrast. In the song â€Å"Take the A Train† by Duke Ellington the rhythm section of the band is very on point, and broad it is a stand out section and wants to make their point. They are very loud obnoxious and want to make you want to dance. For the â€Å"One O’clock Jump† by Count Basie the rhythm section is very low key and mellow, although very good and has a good beat, more of a song to have a mellow night to or to hangout and relax to. I prefer the song â€Å"Take the A Train† by Duke Ellington, because I like to dance and it more fits my personality of a loud and obnoxious fun song.

Minimum Wage Should Be Increased - 1057 Words

Rebecca Nevins Meredith Sides English 101 16 November 2015 Minimum Wage Should Be Increased Congress enacted the federal minimum wage in 1938, during the Great Depression. Congress had two goals; keeping workers away from poverty and boosting consumer spending for economic recovery. Today, there is a debate, whether we should increase the minimum wage again. Increasing the minimum wage is useful for several reasons. First, the current minimum wage has failed to keep up with inflation. Second, a higher income level reduces employee turnover and increases efficiency and ultimately, raising the minimum wage does not reduce employment. Even with high unemployment rates, the minimum wage is useful for the economy. Today the federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour since July 24, 2009. It has failed to keep up with inflation. The real value of the minimum wage rose steadily from 1938 until its value reached a peak in 1968. Thereafter, it suffered severe erosion as Congress failed to adjust for the inflation over time. The minimum wage of $1.60 an hour in 1968 would be $10.47 today when adjusted for inflation. This means that the purchasing power of the minimum wage has decreased significantly over time. The current minimum wage is no longer enough to protect workers out of poverty. A person who earns the minimum wage and works full-time (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) only earns about $12,000 in a year. This is almost $7,000 below the poverty line for a family of three ($19,090)Show MoreRelatedMinimum Wage Should Be Increased?1472 Words   |  6 Pagesdifficult if you are living on minimum wage. Of course it’s more difficult for some people than others depending on their situation and thei r living conditions. Americans and working class people who do come to America for a â€Å" better opportunity† and for the famous American dream struggle. Minimum wage should be increased because of the overqualified, educated, and experienced Americans who are relying on minimum wage jobs as a result of the struggling economy. Raising minimum wage will help employees sustainRead MoreShould Minimum Wage Be Increased?1691 Words   |  7 PagesShould Minimum Wage be Increased? Introduction The term, â€Å"minimum wage† refers to a lowest payment that an employer is bound to pay to its workers. Today minimum wage is made compulsory in more than ninety percent of nations including Canada where workers are demanding to increase minimum wages for a long time. Minimum wages are revised by governments in order to met growing needs of workers. There is a difference of opinion on the issue of increasing minimum wages among people of Canada. EmployersRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Should Be Increased1289 Words   |  6 PagesThe National Minimum Wage Should be increased to a Living Wage. Back in 1998 Labour s’ Tony Blair introduced the national minimum wage (NMW). It was created in aid of employers not valuing their workforce, often giving them very little wages. When it was first introduced the rate was set at  £3.60 and has slowly risen to  £6.70. However this is not enough to live on. It has been estimated that you need no less than  £7.85 an hour, rising to  £9.15 in London, to survive on. There is a clear differenceRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Should Be Increased976 Words   |  4 Pagesthe federal minimum wage. The post may have a picture of a soldier, a disheveled EMT in the back of an ambulance, or a waving American flag with overlying text stating something to the effect of ‘â€Å"Burger flippers† think they should be paid as much as these minimum wages workers? No way!’ If my experience on social media is any indicator, the most popular posts always contain â€Å"burger flipper† or â€Å"baconator.† Posts like the ones described above make moral judgements about the minimum wage with littleRead MoreMinimum Wage Should Not Be Increased1669 Words   |  7 PagesFederal minimum wage is a huge controversy around the world and especially in the United States today. It is the lowest wage that employers can legally pay their employees. The world’s first minimum wage law was passed in the year eighteen ninety-four in New Zealand. New Zealand’s minimum wage experiment caught the attention of other countries. It made them start considering the law for their own countries. The United States passed their federal minimum wage law in nineteen thirty-eight. The federalRead MoreThe Minimum Wage Should Be Increased Essay1758 Words   |  8 Pagesincrease the minimum wage in California from ten to fifteen dollars by the year 2022. 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Although increasing the minimum wage may seem beneficial to some, possibly stimulating the economy or increasing the standard of living for those who live below the poverty line, when looking at the economic issue through a larger lens and placing it into its context, one finds that by increasing the minimum wage, not only is the State of Michigan not addressing the most criticalRead MoreEssay on The Minimum Wage Should Be Increased1048 Words   |  5 Pagesfederal minimum wage in 1938, during the Great Depression. Congress had two goals; keeping workers away from poverty and boosting consumer spending for economic recovery. Today, there is a debate, whether we should increase the minimum wage again. Increasing the minimum wage is useful for several reasons. First, the current minimum wage has failed to keep up with inflation. Second, a higher income level reduces employee turnover and increases efficiency and ultimately, raising the minimum wage doesRead MoreFederal Minimum Wage Should Be Increased911 Words   |  4 PagesThe question that ponders many people’s minds is whether the federal minimum wage should be increased or not. The current U.S. minimum wage is $7.50 and this wage has not increased since 2009. Families with minimum income wages are suffering due to the fact that they cannot provide everyday needs for their families. This is the reason why many people are rioting. They are frustrated with the government’s nonchalant attitude towards the hard situations i n which they are living in. A final decisionRead MoreFederal Minimum Wage Should Be Increased1180 Words   |  5 Pagesto come to conclusions that the federal minimum wage is excessively low. The government can stand to help people gain more money, resulting in a less poverty-stricken country. The cost of living or gaining has increased significantly over the past twenty years, and the minimum wage, for most isn t enough for them to support themselves. There have been efforts to increase the federal minimum wage, but none has succeeded in getting approved. Minimum wages are too low for a human, to provide for