Welfare
- Date Submitted: 01/28/2010 06:29 AM
- Flesch-Kincaid Score: 62.3
- Words: 1959
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Welfare, it is on just about everyones' mind, whether it is Medicare or the
A.F.D.C. Some believe there is too much and others think there is too little. As the years
go by, the need for welfare reform increases. President Clinton had pledged in his 1992
campaign to "end welfare as we know it". Only time will tell by what extremes welfare
will change. As technology continues to increase and jobs continue to go overseas, the
United States must decide what direction the welfare system should take.
As they exist today, welfare systems are an evolution of the thoughts laid out in
the 19th and 20th centuries. Before the Industrial Revolution, the responsibility of
helping the poor was mainly given to the churches or local communities. As machines
took the place of workers, governments were looked upon to help the unemployed.
In 1883, Otto Von Bismarck, the German Chancellor, setup the first form of
Modern Welfare when he enacted a sickness and maternity law. He followed up this law
with a work injury law and an old-age assistance law in 1884 and 1889 respectively.
Today European countries such as Germany, Norway, and Sweden have highly
sophisticated Welfare systems (Bender, 13).
Welfare did not reach the United States, however, until shortly after the Great
Depression with Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal." The New Deal brought on new
economic and social welfare legislation. This is the first time that the United States
Government used federal and public funds to finance the welfare needs of the people.
Today, the most expensive welfare program is Aid to Families with Dependent Children
(A.F.D.C.). The A.F.D.C. was created after the passing of the Social Security Act of
1935. Throughout the last 60 years, the welfare system has faced many changes,
including the 1988 Family...
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