Show Notes // Episode 09: What’s Up with Welfare?

Episode 9 of the We the Voters podcast asks and answers big questions about public support in the United States. I walk through the history of public support programs, such as welfare and social security, and its role in US society today. 

Then, I look at the issue from two sides: (A) public support programs should be reduced because they are taken advantage of and overused and (B) public support programs should be given more investment because they provide necessary support for vulnerable members in US society. 

You can listen to the full show right here — or follow the links to wherever you listen to podcasts: 

Listen in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, and TuneIn.

Articles and Research Referenced in this Episode

Here is more information about public support programs in the United States. 

Here is more information about SSI benefits in the US. 

Here are some statistics about public support programs in the US today. 

Here is the US Census Bureau brief about public support programs from 2015. 

Here is a timeline of social work in the United States.

Here is more information about the Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Here is more information about the Community Block Grant Program.

Here is another timeline of welfare reform in the US. 

Here is the Atlantic article about public support programs since 1996 welfare reform. 

Here are US Census Bureau statistics for low-income Americans in 1996. 

Here are public support statistics from 2019. 

Here is the 2017 Pew Research Center Study about public support programs. 

Here is the 2017 Pew Research Center Report on government spending. 

Here is more information about public support fraud. 

Here is the Heritage Foundation brief on fraudulent public support. 

Here is the Forbes article about improper payments. 

Here is the Pew Research Center report on public support eligibility. 

Here is more information in support of welfare reform. 

Here is the Forbes op-ed about reducing government spending. 

Here is the US Senate report on public support budget spending. 

Here is the FiveThirtyEight article on TANF spending. 

Here is the FEE op-ed about public support spending. 

Here is the FEE op-ed about public support dependency. 

Here is the Daily Signal article about public support dependency. 

Here is more information about the downsides of public support.

Here are some statistics about welfare support programs. 

Here is the Pew Research Center report about public support for welfare programs. 

Here is the Center for American Progress report about low-income children.  

Here is the UC Berkeley study about public support programs and the wage gap. 

Here is the Mashable article about income inequality and public support. 

Here is the EPI report about raising the minimum wage. 

Here is some information about benefits and consequences of public support. 

Here is the KFF report about Medicaid. 

Here is another Center for American Progress report about low-income children. 

Here is the New Republic story about Linda Taylor. 

Here is the HHS report about public support dependence. 

Here is the CBPP brief about public support program usage.

Here is the Brookings Institute report about public support and employment. 

Here is the Urban Policy Institute report on public support and employment. 

Connect With We the Voters

Let’s stay in touch between episodes. 

Follow me on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook for more real-time updates from We the Voters between episodes.

If you have thoughts about this week’s episode, I’ve opened up a text and voicemail hotline at 773-658-9492. Your stories and thoughts may be used in an upcoming episode or otherwise on the We the Voters site. 

You can also email me at anytime at wethevotersproject@gmail.com. I love to hear from you! 

Music for this week’s episode was provided by Jason Shaw via audionautix.com.