Economist Nancy Folbre argues here that the 1996 Clinton-era welfare reform legislation -- which generally provides only short-term cash assistance while a parent is seeking work -- does not jibe with an econony, like the current U.S. economy, mired in chronic high unemployment. She says, therefore, that . . .
Welfare reform is in dire need of … reform. A bill recently introduced by Representative Gwen Moore, Democrat of Wisconsin, the Rewriting to Improve and Secure an Exit Out of Poverty Act, would provide permanent funding, modify work requirements so that education and training would qualify, and guarantee child care for ... work-eligible recipients [under the current law].
The 1996 reform was based on a supposed need to develop a work ethic among poor people. Ms. Folbre concludes, however, "[a] work ethic doesn’t help much when there is no work to be had."
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