Whether the strategy focuses on supplementing or raising wages, it won't help those without jobs during an economic downturn. The real challenge lies in finding a middle road, of devising ways to restore the position of workers without turning protectionist in the process. Our discussion of what Congress should do now needs to take into account that the other side is not sitting on its hands. There will be proposals to cut funds substantially, with the justification that the rolls have been halved so funding can be slashed.
People are literally unaware that millions are worse off,including millions of children.
States should be required to explain how they will use block grant funds to address this goal and states should be measured on their success in doing so. But the activism we called for in implementing welfare reform is long overdue, and should provide a unifying task for progressives of every stripe. In response to Making Work Pay, the special issue of The American Prospect. We note without further comment that the nightmare scenarios predicted with such certainty by opponents of the 1996 bill have largely failed to materialize, in large part because of the strength of the economy. But the activism we called for in implementing welfare reform is long overdue, and should provide a unifying task for progressives of every stripe.