Posted by
Mike on Monday, April 07, 2008 1:30:43 PM
All existing welfare programs would be eliminated. A program would be established for those, and their children, who are unable to work due to physical or mental handicaps (Safety Net). They would have a reload-able debit/ID card to handle their living expenses. There would be a set annual amount based on the current cost of living (including minimum insurance coverages) in that location and the number of family members. For example, let’s say that in a particular city the set amount is $20,000 to support an individual with the basic necessities to live. An additional $5,000 may be the amount set for each child of that person.
Those who are able to work, but are currently unemployed, would be put into a different program (Unemployment Support). This program would provide temporary unemployment funds until the person gets employed again. It would also be based on a set amount for the area the person lives in, but not an amount that would cover the minimum living expenses. In the same city as the previous example, the unemployment program may only provide $10,000 annually to cover expenses between jobs. However, even if the individual gets a low paying job for $15,000, that person will still receive $5,000 of the unemployment funds so that they at least can maintain an annual income at the Safety Net level ($20,000) when they are working. Since these are people who can work, they would also be members of unions that would provide benefits, such as health insurance, during times of unemployment (see #1 Union Makeover).
Both the people in the Safety Net and Unemployment Support programs would be able to accept any amounts of charity (food, clothing, shelter, money, etc.) without impacting the funds they are receiving from the government. Since there are no longer any tax deductions for charitable contributions (see #3 Tax Revolution), those that truly want to help the needy will have the opportunity to provide their time and money directly to those individuals, or through organizations such a food shelves, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, religious outreach programs, Goodwill Industries, etc.