Posted on 07/19/2009 8:46:20 AM PDT by SmithL
It's the kind of statistic that makes radio talk show hosts drool:
California is home to about 12 percent of all Americans – and more than 30 percent of all Americans on welfare.
Critics of the state's welfare program, called CalWORKs, say it's clear proof that the system is flabby and overly beneficent, particularly as compared to other states.
"We are more lenient here; we are more generous in the state of California," Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said last week, "and also we are giving greater benefits for longer periods of time, and there are really no consequences if someone doesn't fulfill the work requirements."
But program officials and advocates for welfare recipients say the statistic masks the fact that California's welfare system is one of those government rarities: a program that actually works.
"That (statistic) is an apples-and-oranges thing," said Frank Mecca, executive director of the County Welfare Directors of California. CalWORKs has been "one of the most successful programs the state has had in the past decade."
There's little argument over the numbers themselves. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, about 1.2 million Californians (950,000 of them children) participated during the 2008 fiscal year in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families program.
In California, TANF is called CalWORKs and is fueled by about $5.5 billion in federal and state funds.
The 1.2 million Californians receiving cash assistance represent 31.3 percent of all TANF recipients – or more welfare patrons than the next nine most populous states combined.
(Excerpt) Read more at sacbee.com ...
And one of the ‘dirty little secrets’ is that Mexicans working at fast food joints, doing gardening work, etc., also apply for and get welfare in California. Because of course you have a bunch of Mexicans working at the welfare offices, and they rubber stamp Mexican welfare applications. And so the state goes bankrupt.
But hey, your produce at the supermarket is 6 cents cheaper, so look at all we get in return.........
Oh naw... the Government isn't spendin' enough and taxin' enough...
Tell me again why they call it CalWorks?
Because CalSitOnYourAssAndGetAGovernmentCheck didn't poll very well.
Yet another dirty little secret: It is so easy for them to get assistance, many are double dipping, using multiple names to get more.
The welfare fraud in California is epidemic. A neighbor of mine was working out at the gym I go to. He stated that he was on full disablity. My mother in law stated that she knows she could work but if she did she would lose all her benefits. She lives with her welfare boyfriend in a house two miles from the beach. They own two cars, three TV’s with every movie channel, high speed internet,free housing, free food stamps, free medical. To top it off they go on about three vacations a year. Why work!!!!
Direct more money into it. That’ll do it.
What it comes down to is a vote buying scheme.
But the state employed welfare managers are not political /sarc
“Because CalSitOnYourAssAndGetAGovernmentCheck didn’t poll very well.”
Ha, ha, I love it!
Even if they aren’t political they know that reduced welfare roles (less gov’t dependence)=fewer jobs and/or job security.
Tell me again why they call it CalWorks?I understand what was behind your question, but if you want the official answer:
CalWORKs = California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids.
Aren't you glad you asked?
Yes, it works exactly as intended, they've been able to buy votes for Democrats with public money for decades.
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