by Tina Grazier
“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life.” – Lao Tzu
The quote above is often referenced by people of all political stripes to demonstrate a universal concept that is brilliant in its simplicity and easily understood. One would think that it would serve as a foundation for sound policy regarding the poor. Apparently for some of our lawmakers it is but a convenient phrase used to impress or to feign compassion and wisdom as a means of garnering votes. A recent example of this hypocrisy can be found in the stimulus bill.
The portion in question is the provision that reverses Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. This welfare reform program, signed into law by President Clinton, and supported by Democrats and Republicans, was designed to encourage people off of the welfare rolls and into the work force. It was highly successful:
“Change’ we can’t afford, By Glen Meakem TribLive (Pittsburgh PA)
** According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between 1995 (the year before welfare reform was enacted) and 2003, the number of Americans in poverty fell by 3.5 million. *** Children in poverty declined by 2.9 million. *** The number of black children in poverty declined by 1.2 million, the lowest level in U.S. history. *** The number of children born out of wedlock also stopped increasing, leveling off at about 32 percent after decades of increases under old policies. *** According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the number of hungry children in the U.S. was cut in half , declining by 420,000. **
A government, or a society, that truly cares about people and wishes to see them live productive, satisfying lives does not relegate the poorest among them to a life scraping by on welfare handouts with little hope of altering their futures. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program offered a five year window of opportunity for recipients to take steps toward building a better future by going to school, receiving specific career training or finding a good paying job while receiving assistance. The funding mechanism encouraged states to move people off welfare and into the mainstream of society. Reversing the measure will surely result in negative outcomes for children and families. This action borders on the criminal. If a parent took similar attitude, depriving a child of educational opportunities for instance, he might be charged with child neglect.
Moving in this direction is surely immoral if not criminal. Why would our government, the president, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, most Democrats and three Republicans, compose and/or affix their signatures to such legislation? One explanation is they didnt all know the provision was buried in the enormous bill rushed through Congress. A more likely explanation for many is that the bill, crafted in secrecy and touted as legislation to stimulate the economy, was really a tool of manipulation. The creators and crafters of this provision wanted to create dependency on the Federal government and “dependent loyalty” to the Democrat Party.
There are many people across America working hard to get the homeless off the streets. Some of these people are mentally ill or disabled and will always need help. But the goal for all of the others is to give them an opportunity to build a more productive satisfying life for themselves. Why would we want anything less for the poor? Why would we implement programs that discourage efforts to uplift people and make their lives productive and satisfying?
The new Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, weighs in on economic opportunity:
If we are to stimulate our economy for real growth, we must empower more Americans to move up the economic ladder. We won’t be healthy as a nation until we do. Republicans have in the past been accused of caring more about the statistics that define the poor than the reforms necessary to lift the poor out of poverty. However, if we are to be true to the foundational principles of the Party of Lincoln–free enterprise, individual liberties and access to equal opportunities–then we know that any efforts to improve our economy must include a pathway of empowerment and opportunity for the poor. Some have faith in government in order to create such a pathway; Republicans have faith in people. Michael Steele, Chairman, RNC, posted at Dip In The Mix
The Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson addressed this issue in his book, Lessons of Katrina and in remarks he made following Hurricane Katrina. His wise words highlighted the dependent black population in New Orleans but his thoughts on dependency apply to people of all races. The following excerpts were taken from his blog, palosverdesblog – Rebuilding the Man:
” Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana *** In Lessons of Katrina I wrote about Alexis DeTocquevilles Memoirs on Pauperism (1835) recounting his observation that the large pauper class in Britain was a result of the right to public assistance dating to Elizabethan times. *** Although Tocquevilles Democracy in America says nothing about American pauperism, he warns that the temptation to rely on government entitlements would inevitably erode personal independence. The flooding due to Hurricane Katrina exposed a pauper class in New Orleans. *** A Brit friend doubted my account of Tocqueville and the British welfare system. I was reminded of Santayanas warning above. *** Tocqueville was introduced to the evils of pauperism by the J.B. Say (1828) book about the French social system. Say restates the Malthusian theory that population always tends to exceed the means of existence and does so even more when a policy of relief encourages the very poor to have large families supported not by their labor but by the government. ** (all emphasis his)
America will thrive in abundance if her people are strong, self-sufficient and well educated. Increasing welfare rolls and creating generational dependency will not achieve that reality. Our strength, our prosperity, depend not on government or diversity but on individual self-sufficiency and moral strength.
Positive and useful information:
Poor Politics, by Robert Rector, National Review
Image: The Breadline by George Segal (FDR)