The Pros And Cons Of Welfare Reform

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Is it fair that almost fifty percent of the American population does not pay Federal Income Tax, which funds the federal government and its basic constitutional functions? Since the creation of Welfare programs in the year 1935, a percentage of the population in the United States has been depending on Welfare Systems to live; while at the same time, many of those people do not pay a single penny for those services. The problem with government dependency is that it goes against American core values of self-reliance and work. In order to solve this very expensive and dangerous problem, Congress should take into consideration reforming the different welfare programs and its guidelines. Welfare programs should be reformed because they create dependency, become a burden on the United States budget and taxpayers, and allows …show more content…
Colonists brought with them the British Poor Laws, which were a set of laws that set aside the members of the population that could work, but did not have a job, and those who could not due to age or physical impediments. Then, during the Civil War, veterans of such war began to receive aid because of a program passed in the year 1862. Social Welfare Programs like the ones seen today had a start in the year 1935 when President Roosevelt passed the Social Security Act. Four years later it was amended to introduce unemployment compensation, Aid to Dependent Children (presently known as AFDC or Aid to Families with Dependent Children) among other agencies and programs. Later on President Clinton signed the Personal responsibility and Work Opportunity act in 1996. According to The Heritage Foundation, state and federal spending on welfare began to rise dramatically during the decade of the 60’s, until it has reached the point where the combined state and federal government spending reaches $949 Billion dollars (Total Welfare Spending Reaches $949