Does the federal welfare system actually provide for the general welfare of the people?

Answer 1

well does spending money and creation of a national debt that our grand children will paying for in the "general welfare" of the people?

I find the simplistic answer above to be superfluous and therefore offer my own answer. As I interpret (as a layman) Article 1, Section 8 does support this, which was upheld in 1936 as Alexander Hamilton referred to the section. This offers ample justification for allowing Congress to address the broad needs of Americas poor. When the poor are not given aid, they will become burdens that reach far and wide, beyond their local jurisdiction. The Great Depression saw a huge refugee population. This is part of what it means to provide for the general welfare of the people. Considering today's context, reflect how we deal with the homeless, what we do with the chronically ill, how we aid the enfeebled old, the destitute and those who find themselves without an income because of nation wide economic distress.

I agree with the second answer. The first one is simplistic, and highly political. The Social Security program evened out the payments for seniors and the disabled. Before that, every State (and sometimes county) had a different formula for assigning aid. Most of them were not adequate for housing, getting medical care and/or food.

Social Security does work, and it works fairly well. It allows a minimum amount of income to live on. For both Retirement and SSDI (disability) you have to have had enough work credits to receive it. There are different requirements for both programs. There is, also, SSI (Supplemental Security Income). That is needs based, not based on work credits. That covers people who did not have enough work credits, and did not have enough income. For instance, my Niece was born with severe Cerebal Palsy. My sister receives a SSI check for her every month. That goes to help support my neice.

TANF is a short term (5 year maximum) aid. It is intended for those who have need (based on income and situation) to get back on their feet. Like people who are newly divorced or widowed or abandoned.