Posted on 07/02/2013 10:52:09 AM PDT by upchuck
Pennsylvania's safety net is in trouble. State Republicans are increasingly critical of it, and, despite an increase from last year, the state's new budget doesn't boost welfare spending to the level desired by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett. But state lawmakers have a way to save Pennsylvania's Department of Public Welfare: Change the name.
The state House approved a bill Monday night that will gradually change the name of the department to the Department of Human Services. The department, which was awarded $11 billion in the budget approved last week, oversees a wide range of safety-net programs, from medical care to services for the elderly, the poor, and those with special needs. The name change has the support of the United Way, state Republicans, and the head of the department. When you look at polling around "welfare," its easy to see why.
When respondents to a June NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll were asked to identify the factor "most responsible for the continuing problem of poverty," the most popular answer given was "too much welfare that prevents initiative." Some 24 percent of poll respondents gave that answer, compared with 18 percent who blamed the lack of job opportunities. This is despite recent polling from Pew that found that 57 percent of Americans say that the government has the responsibility "to care for those who cannot take care of themselves." One way to help connect the negative impression of "welfare" and the positive impression of government help? Use a different word.
Pennsylvania Public Welfare Secretary Bev Mackereth knows this. "A lot of people believe that the word 'welfare' presents a huge stigma to people," she told the York Daily Record/Sunday News. That stigma isn't just about people opposed to "welfare." That stigma is also attached to welfare recipients, who can become the focus of those negative attitudes.
Read the rest of the article here.
It should!
she told the York Daily Record/Sunday News. That stigma isn't just about people opposed to "welfare." That stigma is also attached to welfare recipients, who can become the focus of those negative attitudes.
These people should have a stigma attached to them! They are living off of the earnings of people who worked for the bread they are eating. They are growing fat off of the food that came from the tables of people who work.
People on welfare should be ashamed that they are living off the sweat of another’s brow. They should hate being idle while others work to feed them.
I want to live in a country where a healthy man would rather go hungry than accept government aid. I want to live in a country where people are proud and self sufficient. I want to live in a country where it is manly to earn a living for you and your family and that a man would consider himself less than a man if he was to accept government aid.
Call me old fashioned, call me a chauvinist or a Neanderthal but that is who I am.
Philadelphia schools have a $304 million budget shortfall and have fired over 3,000 teachers and staff, eliminating art, music, PE, and many elective programs. Yet there is moey for a massive welfare system and a huge, new prison.
Bookmark so I can check back later and see how many people flamed you for pointing out that taxes are taxes.
I’m sorry but Welfare is an item you did not pay for.
SSI and Medicare was taken from my check for 40 years!
And I paid for it! Do you need a check stub? Well you can look at as a freebie for your SSI but I myself have a different veiwpoint! Regardless of where it went it was paid!
In California, one of the welfare programs is called “CalFresh”. How wonderful! How healthy! Who wouldn’t want a CalFresh card to provide good food for you and your family?
I remember this one particularly because the local news interviewed an illiterate Somali woman fresh off the boat who was using her CalFresh card at a local market. She was very excited to be getting all this free stuff for her husband and family.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
I didn't make that claim. And AFAIK, the article did not either.
After reading the quote it does say, “from medical care to services to the elderly.” What those services are, is not defined!
However the Medical services must be for Illegal Aliens.
Or ones not on Medicaid.
Your argument is half correct. You paid, but you weren't actually paying for your own old-age welfare in advance, you were paying for your parents' and other folks' old-age welfare. That's the way the system was designed from the start. The money we've all paid in over the years was spent as fast as it came in. As such, current seniors are in reality receiving transfer payments from the current working generation. You may feel you are "owed" your old age welfare, but don't think that you are getting "your money" back, because it is long, long gone. You're getting your kid's and grandkids (mortgaged) money, which you most certainly didn't earn yourself.
Well if that is the case you should petition that no one recieves SSI because we did not earn it! Earn it? What I worked 52 hrs a week and it was taken from me. If I did not earn it to put in your pot who did! Why do I have a SSN that says I’m entitled to x amount! Evidently you did not earn it either! I would imagine you are no where near retirement and are so rich you will not need your SSI so send a letter to the SSI and terminate all your paid in and never recieve a dime!
That money could be used to support a few good illegals!
I wish I was rich. I also have to work many hours and have to pay the old-age tax. I am young enough, though, that I get to be part of the first generation since Roosevelt that won't get to retire... because the system is about to implode. You're probably a member of the last generation that will enjoy that luxury. Your're welcome.
And we boomers did not take care of the generation older than us? Did we not work to have witholding to support our elders?
You are above that and need not contribute to the system?
Plus the increase for medicaid and welfare where did that money come from. You act as though we as an older generation owe you for what was promised to us from the feds for fueling their add on programs. Sorry you feel that way but We paid our way!
This is not a gift from anyone! We as citizens did not make policy we only paid the system. So if you feel SSI is welfare I guess I will soon be on welfare!
Go away! You make no sense! All I know is Mine is paid and if the Gov did not take it it could have been invested and it would be tripple what it’s worth!
Thats where the real deal is but I still have that as a bonus! And I will revel in it! I really could care less if your’s matures or not with you attitude! Uncle Sam may be broke by then!
But like my father before me rest his soul that only drew 1 year of SSI before his death! MAybe he left a little for you!
OK, I’ll go away. Enjoy your transfer payments. Say thanks to your kids and grandkids if you please.
Then what will they call Obamas stash?
I’ll do that when they decide to repay the 60k stolen out of my bank account! See you think everthing is cut and dry!
But it’s not you have a lot to learn in life my friend!
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