ARTICLE REVIEW
“Clinton-era welfare rule gets little notice in the election.”
The article “Clinton-era welfare rule gets little notice in election” by Akilah Johnson examines the worker’s welfare during the President Clinton era. Prior to the signing of this law, workers received four dollars a day, which was equivalent to a caramel macchiato served at Starbucks. In general, the key points highlighted in the article include;
- The provision required the beneficiaries to have at least 20 working hours in a week.
- Despite the provision being signed into law, food cut-offs have continued to be controversial, with such policies being addressed to those in extreme poverty.
- According to Bernie Sanders, the welfare reform was just a scapegoat targeting the weakest people in society without addressing major negative consequences like work-for-food policy.
- The policy targeted a drop on food stamps benefits, which was rejected by Ed Bole, a senior Policy analyst citing that the homeless would receive food stamp ad serve the rest for rent.
- Under the work-for-food policy, 18-49-year-old adults need to find a job and work for an average of 20 hours a week within three months of receiving food stamps.
- A radical change in helping the needy began during the reform of the Work Opportunity Reconciliation of 1996.
- However, it had an acrimonious compromise with some officials protesting that it is too harsh and others thinking it’s too generous.
- In summary, even after finding a job, there are high chances of losing if no 20 hours per week.
Therefore, the article basically focuses on reforms done by Clinton to provide food for the poor in society.
The policy of concern in this article is the work-for-food policy. This policy relates to the current issue like COVID-19 Pandemic.
Currently, the world is under siege due to the CORONA pandemic, with most people not working but receiving food donations and relief from the government. Therefore, the policy can ensure that people, and especially the poor, receives free food stamps from the government to curb hunger during these trying times.
Questions to spur discussion.
- Are the poor and jobless worth receiving government food stamps?
- Does work-for-food policy need implementation or reforming?
- Is the move by President Clinton to sign the welfare Act had political drive?
- Did the signing of the Act have political liberation?
References
Staff, A. J. G., May 20, 2016, & Comments, 9:31 pm Email to a Friend Share on Facebook Share on TwitterPrint this Article View. (n.d.). Clinton-era welfare rule gets little notice in an election – The Boston Globe. BostonGlobe.Com. Retrieved April 12, 2020, from https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/05/20/welfare-work-requirement-from-law-gets-little-attention-campaign-trail/nVWaiva8ZIU982oo5TTanN/story.html