Why Full-Time Workers Still Need Welfare

Key Takeaways:

• A New York Times op-ed pushes for stricter work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients.
• Critics argue that full-time workers shouldn’t need welfare in a wealthy nation.
• Minimum wage should ensure a decent living, but often falls short.
• Historical context shows how unions and policies once lifted families into the middle class.
• Raising minimum wage reduces welfare dependency.
• GOP policies may prioritize corporate profits over workers.

The Debate Over Work Requirements: A recent op-ed in The New York Times by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Mehmet Oz, and two former Trump officials sparked a debate. They argue that able-bodied adults must work to receive welfare benefits. But why do full-time workers need assistance in the richest country in the world?

The Purpose of Minimum Wage: The minimum wage should allow workers to afford basic needs. However, many struggle to make ends meet, relying on Medicaid and SNAP. This raises questions about fairness and the system’s failure to provide a living wage.

A Look Back: The Golden Age of Unions: In the mid-20th century, unions helped workers achieve a middle-class life. For instance, a union job transformed one family’s life, moving them from poverty to owning a home and vacationing annually. This era showed the impact of fair wages and benefits.

The Shift in Economic Policies: The 1980s brought significant changes with the Reagan administration. Union membership declined, and income inequality rose. CEOs’ pay skyrocketed relative to workers, shifting from 30 times more to hundreds of times today.

The Impact of Raising Minimum Wage: Studies show that increasing the minimum wage reduces welfare dependency. For example, California saw a $2.7 billion drop in public assistance after a wage hike. This indicates that higher wages can decrease the need for government aid.

The Real Motives Behind GOP Policies: Critics argue that stricter work requirements are about protecting corporate profits. By keeping wages low, companies save costs, and the government reduces spending. This benefits billionaires rather than working families.

Conclusion: A Call to Action: The next time politicians criticize welfare, ask why the richest nation can’t ensure a living wage. Challenge the system that prioritizes profits over people. It’s time to demand fair wages so full-time workers can live decently without government aid.