And how many of those types do you think there are? Let's see...ONCE AGAIN... we have a real unemployment number(including those that gave up) of 12-15%.
So at the high end... that's 60 million people....let's break that down, shall we?
How many are disabled?
How many are just temporarily receiving benefits?
How many are REALLY working the system?
I dont know. ANd it doesnt matter.
What matters is we have a very large number of people who think a gov't check is a reasonable alternative to finding work. And our system has fostered that belief. We need to reform the system (not just welfare) to make it possible fr people to enter the workforce and stay there and advance.
I happen to agree with Rabbi
Welfare needs to provide two things. A safety net and a path out.
While conservatives rant about how the safety net allows the poor to live in the lap of luxury with flat screen TVs, microwave ovens and cell phones, most poor live in bad neighborhoods with bad schools and few job prospects
As to a path out....that's where it gets tricky. We need to provide good schools, jobs related training, low cost childcare and jobs programs that not only provide a foot in the door but some type of career path
Most importantly, the poor need to do more to help themselves. Low marriage rates, fractured family structures, teenaged pregnancy all help to ensure they do not escape poverty