FreedomWorks Announces Welfare Reform Week
In an effort to educate and raise awareness of the need for fundamental welfare reform, FreedomWorks has designated this week as Welfare Reform Week.
Each day this week FreedomWorks will be hosting live streams with policy experts and members of Congress, to educate activists about the different aspects of our bloated, inefficient, immoral welfare system that traps the poor.
Live Streams
Live streams can be found on FreedomWorks Facebook page. All times are approximate.
Monday – The archived video can be seen HERE.
Tuesday – Senator Mike Lee, (R-Utah), 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday – Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio), 4:00 p.m.
Thursday – Rep. Rod Blum (R-Iowa), 3:00 p.m.
Friday – FreedomWorks President Adam Brandon, 2:00 p.m.
Press Call with African American Leaders
In addition to the daily live streams, FreedomWorks will use this week to talk with its activists and hear their ideas and concerns regarding the welfare system. This will include a conference call with African American leaders including FreedomWorks Senior Fellow Rev. CL Bryant, Star Parker, Rev. Dr. Alveda King, and Dr. Carol Swain.
This call will be open to the press. It will be on Thursday, June 15 at noon. RSVP to Jon Meadows at jmeadows@freedomworks.org to receive call-in information.
“This is a really powerful week,” said FreedomWorks president Adam Brandon. “Democrats believe the only way to improve our welfare system is to add to the mangled, ad hoc welfare programs already in place, increasing the duplicity, inefficiency, and ineffectiveness in the system.”
“Conservatives know it’s both charitable and responsible to clean up the 92 welfare programs in place; it’s the only way to reduce spending, reduce bureaucracy, and increase the number of people who are lifted from poverty to stand on their own two feet.”
“We don’t need a safety net that simply traps people in meager payouts; we need a safety spring that propels them into successful careers where they can provide for themselves and contribute to their communities.”
As part of Welfare Reform Week FreedomWorks is showing Congress where grassroots activists stand on the issue by releasing three principles for Welfare Reform.
FreedomWorks’ Principles for Welfare Reform
FreedomWorks believes that the following principles should be used in a fundamental reform of the American welfare system.
1. More State Control
States are much better equipped to understand the needs of their citizens and tailor programs to fit those needs. By eliminating the one size fits all centralized approach and offering states block grants funds that can be used as they see fit we can improve efficiency and effectiveness of the programs.
Returning the control to the states will also enable them to better engage with local groups and provide benefits and programs that will help lift people out of poverty and get them back on their own two feet.
2. Returning Beneficiaries to the Workforce
A hand up instead of a hand out means able-bodied adults will play a role in their return to the workforce. Reasonable but strong work requirements should be in place for those who receive welfare.
There can’t be an incentive to stay in a welfare program. The goal should always be to get people out of the system and able to support themselves and their families.
Leaving the welfare system must always be financially beneficial, and programs must be structured to encourage individuals to leave the welfare system behind.
This will protect against a growing trend of government reliance instead of self-reliance.
3. Welfare System Accountability
We must know the details about the successes and failures of the various programs in the welfare system. It’s about being accountable for our tax dollars. The data will lead us to a better understanding of what works, and then we should prioritizes welfare spending on programs that limit the number of those on welfare – because they are making their own way in the world.
The fundamental purpose of these reforms is to cut waste, protect taxpayer dollars by making sure it is spent wisely, and unleashing the ability of people to contribute to society and provide for themselves instead of being dependent on government.
