The Misuse of Welfare in America - 1317 Words

Laureen Horan Eng 111 Misuse and Abuse: A Look at the Flaws of the American Welfare System The lessons of history, confirmed by evidence immediately before me, show conclusively that continued dependence on relief induces a spiritual and moral disintegration fundamentally destructive to the national fiber. To dole out relief in this way is to administer a narcotic, a subtle destroyer of the human spirit. It is inimical to the dictates of sound policy. It is a violation of the traditions of America. -Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 1935 State of the Union address. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, under whose administration gave life to the welfare system in the first place, seemed to understand the potentially harmful effects†¦show more content†¦The misuse of welfare is slowly increasing and it’s very harmful to our economy and society. It effects not only the working people who fund government assistance, but the user (or mis-user) as well. There is a general feeling that welfare misuse has skyrocketing rates, but according to advocates for welfare programs, the fraud rate is only about 2-3%. According to the 2010 US Census Bureau findings, there are 114.8 Million families in the US. With just over 34% of those US families â€Å"on welfare†, this means that approximately 39 Million homes receive monthly welfare benefits. 39 Million. Wow. The Federal government expects to spend about $430 Billion in 2013 on welfare expenditures. This averages out to roughly $11,025 annually per family or $945 per family per month. S o if the fraud rate is only a tiny 2-3%, how much money could it really be costing us? Well†¦these seemingly low rates would mean that roughly 785,000 to 1.2 Million families are illegally receiving welfare benefits. At the average rate of $11,025 per year, this is costing the tax payers between $9.0 - $13.5 Billion dollars every year. Yikes. Welfare fraudulence can have a very negative effect on its recipients as well. Although the assistance may be very much needed and may help a lot, many people on welfare are beginning to see welfare as its own social class, a lifestyle. It can potentially eliminate work ethic and motivation. FraudulentShow MoreRelatedWhat Circumstances Force Individuals Into Certain Classes?1261 Words   |  6 Pagesindividuals. Due to the top one percent holding America s wealth, the United States is placed into class systems which cause problems of welfare, unequal education, and unequal job opportunity. Welfare is an aspect that has caused a huge barrier between the rich and the poor. Welfare is given to the poor because the gap has grown so widely and it is more difficult for the unfortunate to get back on their feet without it. 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