To paraphrase Mulvaney, the measure of budget success for the Trump administration is not how much federal assistance is given out, but how many people leave government dependency and join the private labor force as full-fledged workers.
The last time I heard a talk like this was over 20 years ago when President Bill Clinton teamed with Speaker Newt Gingrich to pass welfare reform. They argued that tighter eligibility, time limits, work-search mandates, and better training programs would move people from welfare to workfare.
Critics said wait, no -- tougher welfare requirements will throw millions onto the streets with no federal assistance. Turns out they were wrong. Millions moved into the labor force to work productively, grow the economy, and provide themselves with new self-esteem and happiness.
This point on happiness is one of my favorites. I learned it from AEI president Arthur Brooks, who has done a number of quantitative surveys that clearly show how people who work for a living are far happier than those who depend on government assistance.
So now, over 20 years later, Mick Mulvaney is talking workfare over welfare. And, of course, the left-wing screaming has begun.
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Only if it gets passed. He hasn't had much luck with that so far.
ReplyDeleteThe left is only screaming because this is a Republican version of their idea....
ReplyDeleteMulvaney is so refreshingly candid and honest in his testimony to Congress. Have you seen any of the video of it?
ReplyDeleteHe is so straight-ahead with what he is saying.. nobody but an idiot could argue with what he is telling them (though they will, as there is no shortage of idiots there.. )
Flash forward 20+ years, think it maybe more difficult getting folks off their rumps to work. Laziness is a prime factor, but again if you take away the dependence, one would hope the laziness would subside and job growth would increase. 20+ years ago, yeah it worked - may not this go around....regardless of political party preference.
ReplyDeleteCaesar giveth, and Caesar taketh away.
ReplyDeleteO'Bummer gave it to everybody and made them dependent.
Now Mr. Trump will take it away.
It is also known as Reperations.
DeleteWelfare is done the ones that used to be on it in my neighborhood now get disability which is a lot more $ . They walk up and down the street bragging about their disability checks so now they own more than ever and never had to work for it. A big investigation needs to be done into disability I would say by Trumps people and the Government and done fast!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI know 9:47 AM; refreshing to actually see someone in D.C. with brains. Runs circles around the liberal committee panelists who are clueless.
ReplyDelete