Reform Bill

            
             Millions of Americans are signed up for welfare; the program designed to aid poor and needy families. Unfortunately, it has now become a way of life for many. Many argue that welfare is not destroying our culture and creating dependent people who have learned to abuse certain privileges that come with living in America, but history has proven that this is not true. (Hoehn, Richard, 1995) Former President Clinton signed the welfare reform bill, he said "Today, we are taking a historic chance to make welfare what it was meant to be: a second chance, not a way of life." Welfare was designed to give a boost to the poor, to help struggling families make it through the year while they got back on their feet. What it has become is a target for gluttonous people and others who have no values. Many people who are on welfare have become used to it, and instead of using the money and aid to stay alive while they look for a job, they are sitting at home waiting by the mailbox for the next check to come in. In the meantime, many people are having more kids, because more kids equals more welfare money. These women relish the thought of getting free money in the mail for doing absolutely nothing. A friend of mine has been on welfare since her first child was born five years ago. She now has three children and a live in boyfriend that she refuses to marry because that would be the end of her free ride. Welfare is destroying our culture. Many argue that welfare is necessary for many families, and that it must not be cut. Some argue that it is giving starving families the boost they need to make it one more year. This is only partially true. Yes, we need welfare, but we also need to limit the amount of time a family can stay on it. My cousin, who is now twenty-eight years old, has never worked a day in her life because the government has always supported her and her children. She gets to stay at home and watches her soap operas while us working people get up everyday to collect a paycheck that sometimes barely covers our living expenses.