Since Someone Asked about ‘Welfare’ Spending….
Specifically, it was crosspatch at NewsBusters.
Technically, it’s “Temporary Assistance for Needy Families” (TANF), which before Welfare Reform, was called “Aid for Families with Dependent Children” (AFDC).
Following up on this post, here’s what has happened (go to end at link), which is pretty good news, at least since 2001:
That’s an 18% drop in real terms from 2001 through 2007 as proposed. I don’t know what was actually spent in FY 2007, but the above is enough to show that the trend has been in the right direction.
Oh, to see this replicated in other areas of “discretionary” spending.
Just wait, though…as soon as they realize that spending is down, they’ll start revising eligibility criteria and looking for new ways to spend money.
In Lucas County, it was an increase to 250-300% of poverty level for some services, gas cards to help pay for gasoline purchases (even if the recipient didn’t have a car - because those people might help pay for gas for car pools), and heating bill payments (coupled with an educational video on reducing heating costs and how to insulate better).
You see, we certainly cannot reduce the amount of individuals dependent upon government…
Comment by MaggieThurber — October 19, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
#1, Maggie, you’re right, and as you noted, the dependency culture is constantly trying to expand programs other than TANF, which they realize isn’t going to happen.
Comment by TBlumer — October 19, 2007 @ 1:53 pm