Public Policy

Unit 7- Public Policy

(Lamar James 4097776)

American University

KD. Carlson

7/22/1997

Public Policy

In 1929, the stock market crash caused an economic meltdown which lasted worldwide for over a decade. During the worst years of great depression, nearly one-fourth of labor force was jobless and much more poor households were poor by current standards. The development of the U.S. modern welfare dates to 1930s as a result of this economic disaster. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the one who led a new reform movement, economically and socially. The Social Security Act was part of his New Deal program which established a number of welfare programs. Each of them was designed to protect different segments of population, for retired people and their families, for dependent children and those who lost their jobs temporarily.

Government's welfare programs are performed in different ways, distributing direct cash, certain goods such as public housing, subsidized rents, and coupons to buy food or the means to obtain services. The government decides to whom or how much welfare must be provided and that is based on the economic well-being. As soon as the recipient's income increases, the welfare programs fall. Some are restricted programs to control those meeting additional benefits. Members of specific groups deserve certain forms of welfare. For example, elderly people or those with mental or physical disabilities get several supports that are especially for them. Other disadvantaged people are students, unpaid workers like mothers and caregivers and minority groups who are provided with a minimum level of income.

Welfare for the most part has been effective, but like any other government program it has its problems. For example, if the recipients earn more money their benefits may fall and they will have to pay taxes, so some people prefer to remain on welfare and not to look for jobs. Some other people who work but their income is not...