From Power to Purpose, by Sam Brownback: on Welfare & Poverty


1996 reform about work incentive; next is marriage incentive

Stage one of the welfare reform package passed by Congress in 1996 was directed at eliminating the disincentives to work. By creating new incentives and giving those in poverty a new sense of worth, those reforms helped people transition from public assistance to gainful employment. By cutting the welfare roles in half, millions of men and women were able to participate in the "dignity of work."

Our job isn't finished. Stage 2 is to eliminate the disincentives to marriage that are still contained in some benefit programs. It's wrong to penalize women and their children for the mother's decision to get married. A compassionate nation will work to eliminate the disincentives that still exist in our laws, and compassionate people will work together to restore America's families. And that means restoring the institution of marriage as the backbone of the family and of this great nation.

Source: From Power to Purpose, by Sam Brownback, p. 93 Jul 3, 2007

  • The above quotations are from From Power to Purpose:
    A Remarkable Journey of Faith and Compassion,     by Sam Brownback.
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Page last updated: Feb 21, 2019